A US Coast Guard (USCG) inspection team uncovered an illegal shipment of Anhydrous Ammonia at the Puerto Nuevo Terminals (PNT) port facility in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The hazardous cargo, exceeding 5,000 gallons, was identified in a tank container during a routine safety inspection.
Regulatory violations and safety risks
The discovery has prompted an official investigation, as three Marine Science Technicians found three tank containers, one of which contained the prohibited hazardous substance. Anhydrous Ammonia, a highly corrosive and flammable chemical used in fertilizers, pesticides, and industrial detergents, is banned at Puerto Nuevo Terminals due to its extreme safety risks.
Following the Coast Guard’s findings, multiple federal agencies, including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), Coast Guard Investigative Services (CGIS), the US Army National Guard, and the US Marshals Service… conducted a thorough inspection of the port to assess any further violations.
Non-Compliance with coast guard regulations
The Coast Guard had issued a Captain of the Port Order on February 27, explicitly banning the handling of hazardous materials at the facility due to its inadequate firefighting capabilities. Despite this restriction, the recent discovery highlights serious non-compliance issues.
Violations of a Captain of the Port Order come with severe penalties under 46 U.S.C. § 70036, with fines reaching $117,608 per violation per day.
