A US Coast Guard inspection team found an illegal shipment of Anhydrous Ammonia at the Puerto Nuevo Terminals (PNT) port facility in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on Wednesday.
The hazardous cargo, containing over 5,000 gallons of the toxic and flammable substance, was found in a tank container during a routine inspection.
The Coast Guard has launched an investigation into the matter. The team of three Marine Science Technicians conducting the inspection found three tank containers, one of which was deemed unlawful due to its hazardous contents.
Anhydrous Ammonia, commonly used in detergents, pesticides, and fertilizers, is a highly corrosive gas or liquid that becomes flammable at high concentrations.
Following the discovery, multiple federal agencies, including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), Coast Guard Investigative Services (CGIS), Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI), the US Army National Guard, and the US Marshals Service, conducted a thorough inspection of the port to check for other potential safety risks.
The Coast Guard had previously issued a Captain of the Port Order on February 27, 2025, explicitly prohibiting the facility from handling certain hazardous materials due to its lack of adequate firefighting capabilities.
Anhydrous Ammonia was among the banned substances. Despite this order, the recent inspection revealed non-compliance.
A Coast Guard official stated that the inspection team and interagency partners remain committed to ensuring port safety and security.
Violating a Captain of the Port Order carries serious consequences. Under 46 U.S.C. § 70036, failure to comply can result in a civil penalty of up to $117,608 per violation per day.
Willful and knowing violations are classified as a Class D felony, punishable by up to six years in prison under 18 U.S.C. § 3581, along with fines of up to $250,000 for individuals or $500,000 for organisations, as per 18 U.S.C. § 3571.
Port facilities handling hazardous materials must adhere to strict safety measures, including fire hydrants placed every 300 feet and an adequate water supply, as required under the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) guidelines and 33 CFR 126.15(a)(1).
However, due to safety violations, Puerto Nuevo Terminals is currently restricted from handling hazardous materials, though it is still allowed to manage non-hazardous general cargo.
Reference: USCG