Shahid Rajaei Port Blast Spurs Global Safety Push

On 26 April 2025, a catastrophic explosion and subsequent fires following the Shahid Rajaei Port in Bandar Abbas, Iran, killed at least 57 people and harmed more than 1,200 people. Reports indicate that the blast had majorly disrupted activities within the port and neighboring community, with harmful smoke covering the region, and concerns of long-term health and environmental issues. The Iranian government blamed the disaster on negligence and failure to follow safety procedures concerning the storage and handling of hazardous chemicals, emphasizing the necessity of tighter safety procedures in such risky environments.

The tragic accident at Shahid Rajaei port underscores the common worldwide problem of safe management of hazardous chemicals. This blast is similar to other significant industrial accidents that have had a lasting impact on communities and industries globally. Equally devastating blasts, like the Beirut port blast of 2020, the Tianjin port blast of 2015, the 2021 Equatorial Guinea Bata barracks blast, and the 2013 United States West Fertilizer blast, all stemmed from improper storage and management of hazardous chemicals. These accidents led governments to act quickly to reinforce legislation, enhance inspections of chemical plants, examine stock management procedures, and increase public awareness of the dangers of hazardous materials.

Following the Shahid Rajaei blast, the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) is calling on Member States to contribute to interagency work in progress with a view to enhancing safety and security arrangements in hazardous chemical management. UNECE programs highlight the necessity of sound risk management practices, which reconcile the safety issues and the needs of the global energy transition. Governments, as the world strives to counteract climate change, will also need to respond to escalating risks from natural disasters and technical accidents. The transition of energy itself creates new issues, since some chemicals and technologies involved in the transition can become causes of accidents if they are not managed adequately.

The Industrial Accidents Convention of the UNECE is a significant global tool that guides governments in controlling the threat of technological disasters. The convention promotes industrial safety at the national and transboundary levels. Moreover, international standards like the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) and UN Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods provide harmonized provisions for the safe storage, handling, and transport of dangerous chemicals. These global norms play a vital role in reducing the risks posed by dangerous chemicals.

Different organizations such as the International Labour Organization (ILO), the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the UN/OCHA Joint Environment Unit, UNITAR, the World Health Organization (WHO), the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), and the European Commission are all involved in assisting efforts of risk management. These institutions offer diverse legal and policy tools, technical assistance, and advice to facilitate governments to limit the risks generated by dangerous chemicals in industry environments.

UNECE has initiated an inter-organisation collaborative initiative involving some of the above organisations for a follow-up on the Beirut port explosion that occurred in 2020. This project, funded by the European Union and the European Investment Bank, is a three-year worldwide project with the objective of encouraging the application of international instruments for preventing and mitigating chemical accidents. The project is centered on enhancing knowledge regarding the lifecycle of chemicals, enhancing capacity for policy development and governance, and improving the preparedness and response capacity of concerned authorities.

As part of this international endeavor, UNECE is creating a series of resources to assist governments and industry players. Among these are a new video that identifies the hazards of dealing with hazardous chemicals and tools to deal with them in a secure manner. Further, an information repository and an exhaustive report will offer more information on international instruments and national best practices for managing risks from chemicals. There will also be an international seminar towards the end of 2026, as part of the 14th session of the Conference of the Parties to the Industrial Accidents Convention. The seminar will be used as a platform for sharing information and debating on how to prevent future industrial accidents with hazardous chemicals.

The Shahid Rajaei port explosion is a sharp reminder of the pressing need for global cooperation and coordination in preventing the risks associated with hazardous chemicals. The internationalization of chemical supply chains and the interconnectedness of industries across borders necessitate collaboration to avoid similar accidents from happening in the future. Improved safety standards, better knowledge sharing, and the design of more effective tools for managing chemical risks are central to safeguarding people, the environment, and economies against the catastrophic effects of industrial accidents. With the continued support of international organizations and governments' commitment, it is achievable to develop a safer and more resilient global industrial system.