Request for Authorization of More Ports for Explosive Exports

  • November 20, 2023
  • Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
  • Category: DPN Topics
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Request for Authorization of More Ports for Explosive Exports

Subject : Economy

Section: External sector

  1. Background:
    • Explosive manufacturing companies seek increased authorization for ports.
    • Aimed at handling and dispatching explosives and ammunition abroad.
  2. Current Scenario:
    • Only three authorized gateways for exports: Chennai, Kochi, and Vizag.
    • Challenges for manufacturers, such as Munitions India Ltd (MIL) and Economic Explosives Ltd (EEL), in transporting explosives.
  3. Proposal:
    • Request to make more ports, especially on the western side, friendly for handling and dispatching explosives.
    • Ports like Mumbai and Kandla suggested to share infrastructure load for exports.
  4. Rationale Behind the Proposal:
    • Enhance infrastructure capacity.
    • Reduce costs, logistic hassles, and time required for ferrying sensitive items.
    • Most explosives bound for Europe and West Asia; authorization of ports in the West would streamline the process.
  5. Under Consideration of Ministry of Defence:
    • Under review by the Ministry of Defence.
  6. Expected Impact on Exports:
    • Estimated increase in explosive exports from ₹200 crore (FY22) to ₹1,500 crore (FY23).
  7. Companies Involved:
    • MIL and EEL, significant players in explosive manufacturing.
    • MIL specializes in military explosives, while EEL has diversified into military-grade ammunition.
  8. Safety Standards and Infrastructure Upgrades:
    • Authorization to handle explosives requires ports to upgrade safety standards.
    • Maintain a safe distance from the surrounding population.
    • Specific fire-fighting capacity, staff training, and adherence to safety standards are crucial.
  9. Significance of Authorization:
    • Enhances the country’s defence export capabilities.
    • Aligns with the increasing demand for explosive products abroad.
  10. Future Implications:
    • Streamlined export processes benefitting explosive manufacturing companies.
    • Potential reduction in logistics-related challenges.
  11. Overall Industry Impact:
    • Reflects the growth and importance of defence exports for India.

Munitions India Ltd (MIL):

  • Type: State-owned company.
  • Location: Based in Pune, Maharashtra.
  • Expertise: Specializes in military explosives.
  • Product Range: Manufactures 300 different types of explosives, including artillery shells, mortars, bullets, fuse and explosive fills like TNT, RDX, and MMX.
  • Diversification: Involved in supplying companies both in India and abroad with military-grade products.

Economic Explosives Ltd (EEL):

  • Type: Private company.
  • Location: Based in Nagpur, Maharashtra.
  • Core Business: Historically involved in commercial explosives.
  • Diversification: Recently diversified into manufacturing military-grade ammunition.
  • Strategic Shift: Transition from commercial to military-grade explosives.
  • Industry Standing: Significant player in the explosive manufacturing sector.

Types of Chemical Explosives:

  1. RDX (Research & Development Explosive):
    • Invented by German chemist Haning in 1899.
    • Chemical name: Cyclotrimythelinetrinitramine.
    • Also known as plastic exploder, cychlonite (USA), Hexogen (Germany), T-4 (Italy).
    • Form: Pure white crystalline powder.
    • Plastic Bonded Explosive (PBE): RDX mixed with plastic substances like poly butinc acrylic acid.
    • Deadly destructor or cracker, contains powdered aluminum for optimal requirements.
  1. TNG (Tri Nitro Glycerine):
    • Colourless oily liquid used in making dynamite.
    • Also known as Nobel’s oil.
    • Invented in 1846.
    • Preparation: Mixing conc. H2SO4 and cone. HNO3 with Glycerine.
  1. TNT (Tri Nitro Toluene):
    • Most frequently used explosive.
    • Preparation: Reaction of toluene (C6H5 – CH3) with conc. H2SO4 and conc. HNO3.
    • Invented in 1863, commercial use started in 1914.
    • First user: UK troops.
  1. Dynamite:
    • Invented by Alfred Nobel in 1863.
    • Preparation: Absorbing inert substances like wood powder or absorbing in Kieselguhr.
    • Nitro Glycerine Sodium Nitrate used in modern dynamite.
    • Gelatine Dynamite: Contains a small amount of nitrocellulose.
  1. TNP (Tri Nitro Phenol):
    • Also known as picric acid.
    • Prepared by the reaction of phenol with cone. H2SO4 and cone. HNO3.
    • Ultra-exploder explosive.
  1.   About Ammonium Nitrate:
    • Chemical formula NH4NO3, nitrogen-rich, soluble in water.

Uses:

  • Agricultural fertilizers.
  • Ingredient in anaesthetic gases, cold packs.
  • Main component in commercial explosives for mining and construction.

As Explosive:

  • Primary component of ANFO (Ammonium Nitrate Fuel Oil).
  • Not explosive on its own; requires a primary explosive or detonator.
  • Used in many Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) globally.
  • Fire hazard, can explode through contact with an explosive mixture or due to the oxidation process at a large scale.

Regulations in India:

  • Covered by The Ammonium Nitrate Rules, 2012, under the Explosives Act, 1884.
  • Large-scale storage in populated areas is illegal.
  • Industrial license required for manufacture under the Industrial Development and Regulation Act, 1951.
  • License under the Ammonium Nitrate Rules, 2012 required for any activity related to ammonium nitrate.
economy Request for Authorization of More Ports for Explosive Exports