Ian Ackerman – Sydney
Grain export business Quattro Ports was fined on Monday for exceeding methyl bromide emissions limits at its Port Kembla site.
The company, a joint venture of logistics firm Qube, and grain businesses COFCO Agri, Cargill and Emerald Grain, was slapped with a $15,000 fine for exceeding its licenced methyl bromide emissions limit at its new terminal.
The operator holds an EPA licence for use of the chemical for fumigation at its facility.
New South Wales EPA acting director metro branch Peter Bloem said methyl bromide could be acutely toxic to plants, animals and people and requires careful management.
Bloem said Quattro’s licence sets strict requirements for the use of the chemical including emission limits, monitoring and reporting.
“The EPA has set these licence requirements in discussion with Quattro Ports to protect the environment and surrounding community,” he said.
“They were supported by air quality impact assessments to ensure unacceptable environmental impacts did not occur.”
Bloem said measures had been put in place with Quattro Ports to prevent a recurrence.
“While the level and duration of the exceedances were unlikely to have caused harm to the surrounding community or environment, Quattro Ports must ensure that emission controls are appropriately maintained and operated at all times,” he said.
The EPA previously fined the company for exceeding emissions limits during fumigation in April this year, and Quattro Ports reported non-compliances with licence requirements during the commissioning of the Kembla grain terminal.
Quattro Ports declined to comment when contacted by ABHR affiliate Lloyd’s List Australia about this matter.
This article originally appeared on ABHR affiliate site Lloyd’s List Australia.