Coast Guard Shuts Down Puerto Rico Cargo Terminal After Ammonium Nitrate Violations

The U.S. Coast Guard has taken action against Puerto Nuevo Terminals (PNT) in San Juan, Puerto Rico, suspending the facility’s permit to handle dangerous cargo after discovering unauthorized handling of ammonium nitrate—the industrial chemical behind the devastating 2020 explosion in Beirut.

Acting Commander of U.S. Coast Guard Sector San Juan, Capt. Robert Stiles, issued a Captain of the Port (COTP) Order on Wednesday following a routine examination where inspectors found PNT operating in violation of previous regulatory and safety orders. The suspension comes after longstanding concerns regarding the terminal’s inadequate firefighting capabilities.

“This is a serious violation creating a dangerous situation at Puerto Nuevo Terminals, which is located next to a liquified natural gas facility,” said Capt. Stiles. “The unlawful handling of ammonium nitrate ca…