KOCHI: The chairman of the Cochin Port Trust has ordered an inquiry into the circumstances leading to the failure and collapse of one of the newly built storage tanks of B.R. Petrochem on May 14 while it went through the load testing procedure.

The company has also been ordered to stop all activities until the port is satisfied about the safety procedures and adequacy of structural designs and related plans.

The Cochin Port has also decided to engage reputed engineering consultants having experience in construction and maintenance of tank farms for advice regarding structural design and other safety standards.

In a press statement, the port authorities conveyed that safety standards will not be compromised and all precautions will be taken before issuing final clearance for storage of such cargo.

The statement also pointed out that the May 14 accident happened when a storage tank was undergoing one of the testing procedures.

After the collapse of the storage tank during load testing that happened in June 2005, the port had engaged the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) for carrying out safety audit of all the tank farms in the port area.

Based on the recommendations of the IRS, the port had taken up with all operators of tank farms to follow strict safety procedures. The port had also made the safety related conditions more stringent.

The Cochin Port, being the only major port close to the international maritime route, is required to provide facilities for handling bulk cargo that comes in large ships for transportation to the hinterland by rail and road.

The port is also required to provide facilities for handling liquid bulk cargo that include products like 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.

Suitable plots of land are allotted by the Port Trust for construction of mechanised, eco-friendly and safe handling and storage facilities for liquid bulk cargo.

The statement said that safety issues were given top priority while allotting land to various companies for creation of such facilities.

All such leaseholders were required to take statutory clearances from various regulatory authorities at different stages of construction including.

All storage tanks are to be constructed after carrying out intensive soil investigation. Apart from this, necessary Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) and disaster management plans by approved agencies need to be conducted before commissioning these facilities.

Fire protection arrangements, as laid down by the Oil Industries Safety Directorate, are required besides the standards that need to be followed on location and distance between individual tanks as per the Petroleum Industry Regulations, which would be vetted by the Chief Controller of Explosives.

The port will give final clearance for commissioning of the storage tanks only after all the above clearances are obtained.

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