According to the "Administrative Regulations on the Safety of Hazardous Chemicals" and the "Catalogue of Highly Toxic Chemicals" issued by the State Council, the Ministry of Transport has prohibited the transport of highly toxic chemicals in rivers and other enclosed waterways since June 1 last year. According to reports, this regulation has created significant challenges for chemical companies operating in the Yangtze River Delta region. Many ports along the river have voiced concerns that the policy has had a major impact on local economic growth. Companies are now calling for more flexible adjustments to the ban, emphasizing that while restrictions are necessary, they should be balanced with practical considerations and safety measures must be strictly enforced.
The Yangtze River Delta is a key industrial hub with a thriving economy, well-developed infrastructure, and numerous chemical enterprises. Major chemical parks such as Shanghai Chemical Industry Park and Nanjing Chemical Industry Park, along with important ports like Zhangjiagang, Jiangyin, Ningbo Daxie, and Zhenhai, are all located in this area. Most chemical companies here have docks, allowing raw materials to be directly delivered via waterways. However, after the ban was implemented, many dock facilities became underutilized. Additionally, some imported chemicals now need to be transferred from seaports hundreds of kilometers away, significantly increasing transportation costs. One of the most vocal complaints comes from the transport of acrylonitrile. For example, Zhenjiang Guoheng Chemical Company now has to re-export its acrylonitrile from Lianyungang, leading to an increase of over 600 yuan per ton and an additional 20 million yuan in annual costs.
The ban has also influenced corporate investment strategies. Yantai Wanhua, for instance, originally planned to set up an MDI production facility in Taizhou to supply products through the Yangtze River waterway. However, due to the new regulations, the company had to shift its plans and build a 160,000-ton-per-year installation in Ningbo, redirecting its products toward international markets instead. Similarly, large-scale MDI and TDI projects in the Shanghai Chemical Industry Park are expected to come online soon, further highlighting the growing tension between regulatory policies and industrial needs.
With the increased movement of dangerous goods, especially highly toxic chemicals, across highways, the risks associated with road transport have also risen. Recent incidents involving yellow phosphorus, liquid chlorine, and acrylonitrile in the Yangtze River Delta have raised concerns. While factors such as poor road conditions, outdated vehicle equipment, and inadequate management are often cited as causes, experts suggest that the mismatch between market demand and hazardous material transport policies is also a key issue.
The government’s decision to ban highly toxic chemicals in inland waterways was primarily aimed at protecting the environment and ensuring the safety of river ecosystems. Some experts argue that while environmental protection is crucial, it should not come at the expense of economic development. They recommend a more balanced approach that ensures both safety and efficient use of inland waterways. Internationally, countries with advanced inland shipping systems typically do not impose similar bans, and accidents involving hazardous materials are rare in those regions. However, past incidents—such as pollution caused by vehicles carrying toxic substances like potassium cyanide—have led to heightened public and policy attention in China.
During the interview, several chemical companies also expressed concerns about the criteria used to classify highly toxic chemicals. The standards in China's "Catalogue of Highly Toxic Chemicals" are much stricter than international guidelines, such as the UN Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods. Substances like yellow phosphorus, liquid chlorine, acrylonitrile, and TDI are classified as highly toxic in China, even though they may not be considered as such in other countries. Companies believe that expanding the list of banned substances without clear justification could lead to unnecessary complications and might not effectively enhance road safety.
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