Port authorities in Ivory Coast have reassured the public by dismissing safety concerns surrounding a ship, the Zimrida, which is currently moored off the coast of Abidjan with a cargo of 20,000 tonnes of ammonium nitrate. This chemical, infamous for its role in the devastating Beirut explosion four years ago, is typically used as an agricultural fertilizer but poses significant explosive risks.
The presence of such a large quantity of ammonium nitrate near Abidjan, a bustling city with over six million inhabitants, has understandably raised alarms among locals. The cargo, originating from Russia, faced a mishap last year when part of it was dumped off the coast of England due to contamination by fuel oil during a turbulent sea journey. A local Norfolk MP labeled this incident “environmental terrorism,” highlighting the severity of the situation.
After the partial dumping, the remaining ammonium nitrate was transferred to the Zimrida, which arrived in Ivory Coast waters eight days ago. In response to rumors of potential damage to the cargo, port officials have decided to keep the vessel in the outer harbor as a precautionary measure to safeguard both the population and property. They assert that the cargo has undergone rigorous safety inspections.
In an effort to quell public fears, which are still fresh from the toxic waste incident at Abidjan port nearly two decades ago, Ivorian officials organized a media visit to Zimrida. Journalists were invited aboard to witness the cargo firsthand. Inside, they observed hundreds of white sacks filled with ammonium nitrate spread across the ship’s five holds, with a fire truck stationed on the dock as a stark reminder of the cargo’s hazardous nature.
Despite these safety measures, the unloading process has not yet commenced. Port spokesman Aboubakar Toto explained that they are adhering to protocol, awaiting official clearance to proceed. Meanwhile, the environmental NGO Robin des Bois from Paris has expressed concern in a statement, warning against using Abidjan port as a “storage site” and urging for the prompt forwarding of the goods to their intended recipients.
Ivorian officials counter these concerns by pointing out that ammonium nitrate shipments are routine, with over 40,000 tonnes safely unloaded at the same port in 2024. Of the current shipment, 7,600 tonnes are designated for use within the Ivory Coast, with the rest scheduled for delivery to Luanda, Angola, and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania once the Zimrida departs.
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