Portsmouth port firm pulls application to store 4,999 tonnes of ammonium nitrate

It comes as ammonium nitrate has been blamed for causing a huge explosion in Beirut killing 137 after the chemical was housed in a port warehouse for six years.

Portico, the publicly-owned cargo handling firm in Portsmouth, had sought permission to store up to 4,999 tonnes of it at Flathouse Quay.

Yesterday the firm said it would be unlikely to reach full capacity at any one time.

Now the firm has confirmed the application is being withdrawn as it no longer requires the service for a potential client.

Mike Sellers, port director, said: ‘This planning application was made many months ago based on discussions with a potential customer who might have needed to transport this substance.

‘However, the business has not materialised and Portico are withdrawing their application.

‘We would like to be clear that there hasn't been any ammonium nitrate through the port and there will not be any in the future.’

The application would have seen the storage regularly inspected and the fertiliser quickly shipped across the country, according to a spokeswoman from the firm.

She said: ‘The process to manage agribulk goods is rigorous and would require regular inspections.

‘We understand concerns in light of the recent incident in Beirut, however these goods are handled on a regular basis in ports across the country and held in larger quantities in agricultural business.’

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