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Shipbreaking in Kakinada

A decade ago shipbreakers tried to establish shipbreaking units on the glorious white sand beaches of Kakinada. But they could only dismantle three ships. Then the fierce protests of local people stopped the whole project. But now the breakers again cast their greedy eyes upon Kakinada (Andhra Pradesh, India). North of the city a Gujarat shipbreaker has already set up small infrastructure. We have learnt from the Alang experience (see image on left) that this might be the beginning of the end: after the first shipbreaking unit is established a second will follow and within a short period of time the whole beach is turned into a big scrapyard.

Joint opposition
The shipbreakers claim their business will bring the region money and jobs. But most people don't believe a word they say. There is a widespread opposition to the shipbreaking plans: fishermen, shrimp farmers, Kakinada Chamber of Commerce, local and state politicians jointly try to stop the scrap units. Especially the fishermen fear they will lose their only source of income when the bay is being polluted.

Pollution
Ships for scrap will heavily pollute the sea near Kakinada. The chance of toxic substances ending up in the water is even bigger compared to Alang. In Alang the tidal difference is 5-6 meters and that helps the beaching of ships. But in Kakinada the tide is only 2 meters during spring tides. Here the shipwrecks will have to be broken literally on the water and toxic substances will more easily be spread over the bay.

Sensitive mangroves
An international research group of the Free University of Brussels (Belgium), Andhra University (India), Radboud University Nijmegen (Netherlands), University of Stockholm (Sweden) and the French Institute of Pondicherry (India) studied the vulnerable mangrove area near Kakinada for years. Scrapping of ships is disastrous for mangrove plants and trees. They breath from their roots, so they are very vulnerable to oil pollution. One of the researchers, F. Dehairs: 'It is evident that pollution from the shipbreaking yards will spread into the bay. This risk is especially big in the dry season as the sea and the bay then feed the area. Oil has an impact on the mangroves, but TBT as well.' TBT is a hazardous substance that has being used in ship paint.

'A great boom'
But all the same Jagadish Parekh, president of the Andhra Pradesh shipbreakers' Association, insists that shipbreaking is ecologically safe. 'Shipbreaking will be profitable and safe. It is not hazardous regarding adverse impact on fisheries.' The shipbreaking industry will be a great boom to the region and bring large scale local employment, according to Parekh. He thinks the Kakinada beach is ideal for the breaking of ships. (source: Business Line 16/9/04)