Tianjin, China — An explosion – causes as of yet unknown – devastated the industrial area around the northern port of Tianjin. The blast affected the container and bulk operations in the world’s 10th largest port facility, including some fertilizer shipments. The explosion took place just before midnight local time Wednesday night at a facility handling toxic chemicals for import and export. The plant is part of the large industrial park within the Tianjin port authority borders. On Aug. 13, Chinese state media put the death toll at 50 with more than 700 people injured. The Chinese government is only saying the warehouse where the explosion took place stored “dangerous goods.” Municipal environmental monitoring stations reported hazardous chemicals stored at the warehouse included sodium cyanide, toluene di-isocyanate and calcium carbide, all highly toxic and hazardous to human health on contact. The Tianjin port is China’s third largest facility and is the gateway to Beijing and northern industrial centers. While largely a container port, portions of the facility are dedicated to bulk operations, including iron ore, grains and some fertilizers. Sources say Tianjin is not a major facility for fertilizer exports. However, some urea and ammonium nitrate do flow out of the port. Reports surfaced soon after the explosion that about 150,000 mt of urea bound for India will be delayed. Sources say a panamax-size load and three half cargoes are on indefinite hold until the situation stabilizes. Various portions of the port are being inspected for damage before allowing shipping and receiving to resume.
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