The production, treatment and storage of ammonium nitrate is strictly regulated in Belgium and takes place in the port of Antwerp under very strict safety conditions. That says the Port Authority after the heavy explosion in the port of Beirut.
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The major explosion in the port of the Lebanese capital Beirut is said to have been caused by an explosion in a warehouse with more than 2,700 tons of the chemical ammonium nitrate.
Ammonium nitrate is used all over the world as a fertilizer. The material is also frequently treated in the port of Antwerp, says the Port Authority on Wednesday. But one explosion like in Beirut is not possible here, it sounds.
“Its production, handling and storage is strictly regulated in Belgium and takes place in our port under very strict safety conditions.”
Port ships Annick De Ridder (N-VA) expresses its condolences to the victims of the drama in Beirut, but states that the situation in the port of Antwerp is by no means comparable to the situation in the Lebanese capital.
“First of all, there are strict safety standards and it is unthinkable that such a product would be stored for years in an amount that corresponds to the transhipment volumes in Flanders over a whole year.”
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