The Hindu Business Line : Kochi port orders storage tank builder to stop activity

The Chairman of the Cochin Port Trust has asked BR Petrochem, which has constructed storage tanks in the port area, to stop all activity until the port is satisfied about the safety procedures and adequacy of structural designs of the tanks.

The direction of the port chief comes in the wake of the collapse of one of the newly built storage tanks of the company last Sunday while conducting load testing.

Ordering an inquiry into the circumstances leading to the failure and collapse of storage tanks, the port authorities also decided to engage reputed engineering consultants with experience in construction and maintenance of tank farms for advice regarding structural design and other safety standards.

Citizens assured

The port has also assured all citizens that safety standards will not be compromised and that all precautions will be taken before issuing final clearance for storage of such cargo.

The Chairman, Mr N. Ramachandran, said safety issues are given top priority while allotting land to various companies for creation of such facilities.

Every such leaseholder is required to take statutory clearances from various regulatory authorities at different stages of construction.

Safety measures

All storage tanks are to be constructed after carrying out intensive soil investigation.

Apart from this, necessary environment impact assessment and disaster management plans by approved agencies are conducted; commissioning of the facilities is permitted only after obtaining the environment clearance.

Fire protection arrangements, as per standards laid down by the Oil Industries Safety Directorate, are also installed before the commissioning of the facilities, he said.

Location and distance between individual tanks are as per Petroleum Industry Regulations and are vetted by the Chief Controller of Explosives, he added.

Cargo facilities

The Cochin Port Trust is required to provide facilities for handling bulk cargo that comes in large ships for transportation to the hinterland by rail and road.

It is also required to provide facilities for handling liquid bulk cargo that include products such as petrol, diesel, kerosene, edible oil, and various other essential items for consumption of the general public and to cater to the requirements of the industry in the region.

The port has allotted suitable plots of land for setting up mechanised, eco-friendly, and safe handling/storage facilities for liquid bulk cargo.

The Chairman also said that the port has engaged the Indian Register of Shipping for carrying out safety audit of all the tank farms in the port area after the collapse of the storage tank during load testing that happened in June 2005.