Tag: Safety

Around 1 million gallons of sulphuric acid was released from an industrial facility, some of it into the Houston Ship Channel, in late December. A pipeline ruptured when an elevated walkway collapsed at the BWC Terminals facility in Channelview, east of Houston. Two people were transported to a hospital and subsequently released, while 44 others were treated and released at the scene. BWC Terminals said in a statement the majority of the sulphuric acid released was into a designated containment area, with a smaller, unknown amount entering the ship channel.

Alfa Laval Korea Ltd. has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Hanwha Ocean Ecotech, marking a significant step toward strengthening cooperation in developing safe and reliable ammonia fuel system solutions for dual-fuel vessels. The collaboration is founded on a shared ambition to advance ammonia fuel systems for dual-fuel vessels. Alfa Laval will contribute its proven capabilities in ammonia fuel and mitigation technologies through ammonia fuel supply system and FSS and ammonia release mitigation system (ARMS) and Hanwha will apply its extensive experience in system engineering and integration. This partnership will facilitate the exchange of expertise and improve productivity and safety on board.

ClassNK has issued approval in principle for a concept design of the Multiple Alternative Fuels Ready (ammonia/methanol/ LNG) bulk carrier developed by Oshima Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. The certification confirms the feasibility of the vessel from regulatory and safety perspectives. ClassNK has published Annex 1 Alternative Fuel Ready of the Guidelines for Ships Using Alternative Fuels, which summarises the requirements for adding class notations to ships that do not use alternative fuels at the time of construction but are designed and partially equipped to accommodate such fuels in the future.

Topsoe is partnering with Maersk Training to establish safety standards that support the emerging Power-to-X industry. Topse says that Power-to-X and the production of e-fuels are critical enablers of the transition to low-emission fuels. However, no comprehensive safety standards currently exist that address the full range of risks at these sites. Together, the two companies will develop realistic simulations, competency-based training and a strong operational culture designed to strengthen safety practices across the entire value chain. As Power-to-X technologies scale to meet global climate ambitions, both companies emphasise the need for robust, realistic and forward-looking training frameworks. The collaboration builds on Maersk Training’s nearly 50 years of experience in high-risk environments.

ClassNIK and Oshima Shipbuilding agree AiP for ammonia/methanol/LNG and OCCS Ready Bulk Carrier

The Sulphur Institute celebrates its 65th anniversary this year. In this article the organisation describes its lasting legacy and global impact.

Venkat Pattabathula reports on the American Institute of Chemical Engineers’ (AIChE) Safety in Ammonia Plants and Related Facilities Symposium, held from September 7–11th 2025, in Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

The following case study describes a serious incident and the consequences of erroneously mixing nitric acid with hydrochloric acid. In Part 1 we reported on the incident and the causes that led up to the event. In part 2 the impact, recommendations and lessons learned will be discussed.

At least 43 people were injured after sulphuric acid fumes leaked from a chemical storage at the port of Aqaba in October, according to local press reports. Two of the injured were admitted to intensive care and another six were held in hospital. The remaining cases were described as mild and were treated either on-site or in nearby hospitals. Jordan’s Public Security Directorate (PSD) said emergency teams from the Aqaba Civil Defence Department, supported by the Aqaba Support Group, responded immediately to reports of a sulphuric acid vapour leak which created a fume cloud roughly 400 square metres in size. The operating company’s technical team managed to stop the leak before specialised hazardous materials units from the Civil Defence took over, implementing safety procedures in line with approved protocols. Investigations are under way to determine the cause of the leak, in coordination with the Public Security Directorate and other relevant agencies. Three years ago a sulphuric acid leak from a storage tank at Aqaba killed 13 and injured several hundred people.

Venkat Pattabathula of SVP Chemical Plant Services, Taylor Archer of Clariant and Seshu Dharmavaram of Air Products, all AIChE Ammonia Safety Committee members, look back at some of the key lessons learned from the Symposium’s 70 year history.