The port of Abidjan in Côte d’Ivoire is set to receive the Zimrida, a Barbados-flagged vessel transporting 20,000 tons of ammonium nitrate, a hazardous substance, on Monday.

The shipment has sparked safety concerns among residents and environmental groups due to the potential risks associated with the chemical. In response, port authorities have assured the public of strict precautionary measures to safeguard the population and surrounding areas.

Ammonium nitrate, commonly used in agriculture and industrial applications, has been linked to catastrophic explosions in the past, making its handling a matter of critical importance.