Exploding scrap trade

The dangers of unexploded shells and other military explosives in cargoes of scrap have been covered in previous issues of Signals. With the recent increase in steel prices, demand for scrap has increased greatly and seems to have encouraged unscrupulous scrap dealers to pay less attention to the sort of steel products they ship out.

Indian police investigating scrap imports after to workers died in an explosion in a foundry near New Delhi came across enough military explosives to 'start a little war', according to a police spokesman. The Indian authorities have now ruled that scrap can only be freely imported in shredded or compacted form - all other metal waste will be subject to full inspection at major ports before being allowed to enter.

The ordinance which exploded in India was imported by sea and could just have easily exploded on board, endangering the crew and the ship. Even if there is no explosion, the discovery of military explosives in scrap cargos will inevitably delay the ship and lead to high costs in dealing with the cargo, which the owner may not be able to recover from the charterer and /or shipper.

Masters are therefore reminded to keep a close watch on the content of scrap cargoes and, if they see anything that gives them any cause for concern, immediately call in the assistance of the Association's local correspondent.

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