Energy, Latvia, Legislation, Port, Security, Transport

Ammonium nitrate, an extremely explosive and fire hazardous product, is widely used for terrorist purposes. It was also used by terrorists for the bombings in the United States, Britain, Spain, Norway, Turkey, Afghanistan, India, Middle East, Russia and other countries. It is exactly for this reason why many states have taken drastic measures to limit the amount of ammonium nitrate located in their territory. For example, Ireland, China, Colombia, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, and the Philippines have banned using ammonium nitrate in agriculture.

However, the Riga City Council has agreed to build a terminal for handling and storing ammonium nitrate near terminals operating with petroleum products and liquefied gas. This implies about 4,000 tons of ammonium nitrate will travel by rail via the center of the capital of Latvia each day. It is impossible to guarantee safe transport of these hazardous chemicals along the entire route.

Furthermore, according to the decision of the Riga City Council, "Riga fertilizer terminal» is allowed to store 90,000 tonnes of all kinds of ammonium nitrate. No port in the entire world is allowed to store more than 5 000 tons of this product.

Initiators of the project have been using the mass media to claim that the project is going to be highly beneficial for the city. Moreover, the permission was backed by the conclusion of the State Environmental Supervision Office that the terminal will not be dangerous for the environment or the health and life of Riga residents.

Independent experts in the field of ports operations, environmental protection, life safety and terrorism express reasonable doubt on the integrity and objectivity of the Riga City Council decision. Experts give strong arguments why various stages of "Riga fertilizer terminal» construction project agreement lack transparency and formal public debate. The company has misled about the exceptional economic benefit to the city and the matter of the country handling and storing ammonium nitrate is highly questionable. Most importantly, the project conceals what mortal danger it poses to the inhabitants of Riga.

If people do not pay close attention to this disastrous decision taken on July 26, 2011, by Riga City Council, the capital of Latvia will turn into a ticking time bomb.