News

Norwegian ship Hesperus denied permission to beach in Alang, India

26th September, 2003 - Indian customs authorities have denied the Norwegian LPG tanker Hesperus permission to beach for breaking at Alang shipbreaking yard, following an alert raised by Greenpeace. Under the Basel Ban Amendment, which Norway ratified, Norway has agreed to prohibit the export of hazardous wastes from rich to poor countries. Greenpeace wants the harbour and customs authorities to ascertain that there are no hazardous wastes on board before the ship is beached for breaking. This would be a violation of the Basel Convention and the Indian Supreme Court directive that prevents dumping of hazardous waste. Greenpeace also demanded an assurance that the ship was being delivered with gas-free-for-hot-works certification as required by Indian law.

Each year, about 250 ships arrive at Alang ship breaking yard for breaking and recycling. All ships carry toxic substances inherent in them, like PCB (polychlorinated biphenyls) in engine oils, TBT in hull paints, Asbestos in electrical claddings, oils and other toxic materials. During the process of breaking the ships to recover steel from ships, these toxic wastes pollute the beaches, the sea and agricultural land around the yards.

The gas carrier Hesperus (built in 1973, 40,615 DWT) is operated by the Norwegian ship-owner Bergesen. The ship was sold By Bergesen to Indian breakers for $ 4.05 million ($246 per LDT). Greenpeace wants shipowners to take the responsibility of decontaminating the ships-for-recycling before exporting them to Indian shores for breaking beause there are no technologies available in developing countries to do it correctly. A second reason is that the ship-owners, who make huge profits from the ship, have to take responsibility for the impacts of its breaking.

In the last eight months, four accidents have killed 25 workers and injured 50 others. "It is a shame that shipowners who make huge profits from the ship do not want to spend a penny for the clean-up of end-of-life ships in order to prevent environmental pollution and the loss of life", says Ramapati Kumar, Greenpeace shipbreaking campaigner. "We call on Norway and all Parties to the Basel Convention and the International Maritime Organisation to prevent further illegal export of toxic ships to Asia. It is heartening to see that Indian authorities are finally acting according to Indian and International Law".