Coast Guard, MarAd issue caution about shipments from Tianjin

“There have been no reports of vessels with confirmed hazardous ash, debris or residues onboard,” according to a bulletin from the United States Coast Guard.    The U.S. Coast Guard and Maritime Administration have issued advisories about possible contamination to vessels, containers, and cargo to chemicals resulting from the explosion and fires in Tianjin, China on Aug. 12 and 15.
   “Vessel owners and operators should be aware of the potential for hazardous ash, debris or residues onboard impacted vessels or containers, particularly in cargo bays and interior spaces not regularly exposed to the elements,” said a Coast Guard Marine Safety Information bulletin that has also been forwarded by MarAd.
   “Based on the currently available information regarding the incident and its aftermath, the Coast Guard is concerned that impacted vessels and cargo may have an increased risk of exposure to potentially hazardous chemicals,” the Coast Guard said, adding, “There is not yet available a comprehensive list of chemicals that were involved in the Tianjin incident; however, several hazardous chemicals are reported to have been in the main  warehouse, including sodium cyanide (UN1689) and calcium carbide (UN1402).
   Given the substantial size of the explosions and the suspected hazardous chemicals that were involved, ships and cargo in port at or near the times of the explosions may have been exposed to potentially hazardous dust, ash, or debris, but an Aug. 26 bulletin said, “There have been no reports of vessels with confirmed hazardous ash, debris or residues onboard.”