Chemically Loaded

San Fernando, a 984 foot by 157 foot container ship sailing under the flag of Marshall Islands, arrives at the port of Mobile the morning of APR 29 2026. With a draught of 37 feet, the ship moves at 5 mph while finishing a three day voyage from Houston.

According to ship manifests, San Fernando’s cargo includes roughly eighteen tons of nickel hydroxycarbonate (a hazardous powder used in batteries, petroleum refining and special ceramics), about 23 tons of bis-(triethoxysilyl)propyldisulfide (used in rubber compounds and the manufacture of tires) and roughly 27 tons of zinc alkylditiophosphate (an additive used in oils and hydraulic fluids) plus thermal paper, automotive batteries, PVC flooring, kitchen cabinet parts and Lyla and Jazelle dining chairs. There will be a spelling test on the chemicals.

Photo shot from the Orange St pier in Fairhope, roughly 6.5 miles away…