Private ICDs in Bangladesh run high risk handling chemicals

Close on heels of the deadly BM Container Depot fire in Sitakunda, Chittagong, apprehensions have been cast as to the other private ICDs or Inland Container Depots in the country as none of the 19 private ICDs has the permission or the infrastructure necessary for storing and handling chemicals, including hydrogen peroxide, which was, reportedly, found stored in BM Container Depot.

Media reports maintained this citing sources, who have expressed fear that the facilities were highly risky for continuing export-import activities.

Meanwhile, interacting with the media, President of Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) and the Port Users Forum, Mahbubul Alam, reportedly, underlined all the private ICDs and the Chittagong port should take special measures in handling dangerous chemicals even if officials at the Department of Explosives, reportedly, added they had no information whether the private ICDs are now storing and handling dangerous chemicals.

Reports further added the ICDs have no licences from the Department of Explosives and the Department of Environment (DoE) for storing or handling chemicals.