Nine containers holding 150.89 metric tons of hazardous chemicals, abandoned at Chattogram Port since 2003 were dispatched on Saturday morning to Narayanganj for eco-friendly disposal.
Under heavy police escort, the convoy left Chattogram Port bound for Wata Chemicals Limited in Murapara, Rupganj. Members of the official destruction committee accompanied the vehicles to oversee the transport.
Custom House Chattogram Assistant Commissioner Russell Ahmed confirmed that the long-expired, unusable chemicals will be destroyed using compliant environmental methods, following recommendations from the Bangladesh National Authority for the Chemical Weapons Convention.
The shipment includes 25.55 metric tons of sulfuric acid 500 kilograms of nitric acid 92.54 metric tons of methanol and 32.30 metric tons of thinner.
Multiple state agencies including the Chattogram Port Authority, Fire Service and Civil Defence, Border Guard Bangladesh, Department of Explosives and Department of Environment are providing security and logistical support.
Removing these high-risk substances reduces fire and chemical safety hazards while easing long-standing container congestion at the country's primary seaport. The move follows similar safety initiatives, including the disposal of 25 tons of dangerous materials in 2021 and the destruction of 126 expired cargo containers in August.
