Coast Guard issues Captain of the Port order to Puerto Nuevo Terminal for violating hazardous cargo handling permit in San Juan

02/27/2025 03:50 PM EST

The acting commander of U.S. Coast Guard Sector San Juan, Capt. Robert Stiles, issued a Captain of the Port (COTP) Order to Puerto Nuevo Terminals (PNT) port facility, Wednesday, for unlawfully handling dangerous cargo, specifically ammonium nitrate. This action was taken following a routine examination in which Coast Guard inspectors discovered PNT’s non-compliance with previous Coast Guard regulatory and safety orders which suspended PNT’s permit to handle hazardous cargoes as required by law and due to the facility’s lack of adequate firefighting capability. “This is a serious violation creating a dangerous situation at Puerto Nuevo Terminals, which is located next to a liquified natural gas facility,” said Capt. Robert Stiles, acting Coast Guard Sector San Juan commander and Captain of the Port. “The unlawful handling of ammonium nitrate can pose a serious risk to the safety of critical port infrastructure in San Juan Harbor. We are investigating this matter thoroughly and have taken necessary measures to ensure that the Puerto Nuevo Terminals facility is operating in a safe manner. The Coast Guard is committed to the safety and security of the nation’s ports and navigable waterways, and it is our duty to protect them.”