An explosion – causes as of yet unknown – devastated the major northern Chinese port of Tianjin on Aug. 12. While largely a container port, sources say the closure will impact bulk shipments of urea to India under the terms of the MMTC tender that closed late last month.
The explosion took place just before midnight local time Wednesday night at a warehouse in the industrial park included in the Tianjin port authority borders. The blast was so great it affected an area greater than 10 kilometers (about 6 miles) with severe damage reported as far away as 3 kilometers (about 2 miles) away. The warehouse was not a port-side property.
More than 700 people were reported injured and 50 dead as night fell in the area Thursday.
The Chinese government is only saying the explosion took place in a warehouse that stored "dangerous goods." As first responders began searching the rubble, reports surfaced that the facility held large quantities of sodium cyanide. Clean-up crews, aided by Chinese army chemical specialists, started removing more than 700 tons of the toxic chemicals as soon as they could access the site.
Air samples showed high levels of sulfur dioxide and sodium cyanide. Other toxic chemicals including toluene di-isocyanate and calcium carbide are also being detected in the blast zone.
Initial reports were that the explosion did not impact general port operations. However, later reports were that port operations had been suspended until further notice.
About 150,000 mt of urea bound for India is affected by the closing of the port. Sources say a full panama and three half cargoes were slated to be loaded and dispatched over the weekend. It was unclear if any of the vessels were at quayside at the time of the explosion or were slated to enter the port late last week.
The investigation into the explosion began immediately with the detention of the owners where the blast occurred.
Large portions of the industrial park affected by the blast were still smoldering 24 hours after the blast. Special teams from the Chinese military are helping with search and rescue operations as well as the investigation into the cause of the blast.