| 26 April 2025 | Location: Iran |
Incident Details
It has been reported that a massive explosion rocked Shahid Rajaee Port near Bandar Abbas, Iran, on 26 April 2025, killing at least 40 people and injuring over 1,000. The blast, suspected to stem from mishandled hazardous chemicals, devastated Iran’s largest commercial port, causing widespread damage. Fires continued to burn for days, disrupting operations and amplifying safety concerns for the region.
The visual below outlines a map of southern Iran, highlighting Shahid Rajaee Port, with an inset showing Iran’s geographical position in the Middle East. It includes an image of the explosion sourced from BBC.
Figure 1: Shahid Rajaee Port (Image Courtesy: BBC)
Comment. Iran’s industrial sector has faced recurring safety challenges, exemplified by incidents such as the 2024 Tabas mine explosion, where 50 workers perished due to methane gas accumulation, and the 2004 Neyshabur chemical train blast, which killed 300 people – including rescue workers and villagers – due to an explosive combination of sulphur, petrol, and fertilisers. In 2024 alone, Iran reported over 1000 workplace deaths in six months, averaging 45 fatalities weekly, with primary causes including falls from height (498 cases) and electrocution (155 cases). These statistics reveal systemic weaknesses in safety protocols and oversight, likely amplifying the impact of the Shahid Rajaee Port explosion. As a critical hub managing 85-90% of Iran’s container traffic, the port sustained significant damage, with the blast’s shockwave felt 30 miles away, leaving a large crater and shattering windows kilometres from the site.
On a global scale, port-related disasters further illustrate these risks. The 2020 Beirut port explosion, caused by 2,750 tonnes of improperly stored ammonium nitrate, resulted in 218 deaths, 7,000 injuries, displaced 300,000 residents and according to the World Bank, cost $4 billion in physical damages. Likewise, the 2015 Tianjin explosion in China, sparked by chemical mismanagement, claimed 173 lives and injured 797, exposing vulnerabilities in port safety standards. For businesses, these examples underscore the critical need for robust port security and compliance with international standards such as the ISPS Code to safeguard operations and ensure employee safety.
Assessment. The Shahid Rajaee Port explosion highlights the urgent need for port operators to prioritise port security through ISPS Code compliance. Under the ISPS Code, a mandatory framework within the SOLAS convention, ports must conduct a Port Facility Security Assessment (PFSA) every five years and maintain an updated Port Facility Security Plan (PFSP). These requirements ensure ports address evolving risks, such as chemical incidents or cyberattacks, which can disrupt operations and endanger personnel.
To fulfil their duty of care, port operators should integrate proactive security measures into their PFSP. This includes training employees on port-specific emergency protocols – such as evacuations during explosions or chemical spills. A comprehensive crisis management plan, detailing response procedures and communication channels, is essential too and should be regularly tested, drawing lessons from global incidents.
These measures are universally applicable, from Asia to Africa and Latin America, where port security lapses pose ongoing threats. By embedding ISPS Code compliance and robust safety protocols, port operators can protect employees and customers, and maintain operational continuity.
For further insight into how the ISPS Code provides a foundation for port security and safety, and how applying wider international best practice provides port security critical augmentation, read the Neptune P2P Spotlight Report – ‘Working with and beyond the ISPS Code’.
Speak to our experts today to discuss your port security risk assessment plans Contact us at – Neptune P2P Group.
