In 1999 the Forthbank was the first ship-for-scrap arrested in Belgium as a hazardous waste export. After a short while the arrest order on the 26-year old bulk carrier was lifted. But it still made very clear that international legislation on End of Life Vessels is necessary.
Bound for scrap
Greenpeace informed the Belgian Government on December 1999 about the intention of the owner of the Forthbank. At that time the ship was in the Antwerp harbour. Andrew Weir Shipping (UK) wanted to scrap the bulk carrier in Alang, India. He also owned the Clidebank, bound for scrap as well. Greenpeace requested the Belgian authorities carry out a full inventory of all hazardous constituents on board. They should halt the dumping of these toxic wastes in Asia.
Arrest in Belgium
The Flemish Waste Department carried out an investigation on board the Forthbank.
A clarification from the owner was requested. But this clarification was
unclear and the authorities arrested the Forthbank on 'the suspicion it
was not properly emptied of hazardous materials'. Export for dismantling
in a non-OECD country would be a violation of the European
Waste Shipment Regulation (EWSR) and of the Basel
Convention.
'Not going for scrap'
But the shipowner pretended the Forthbank was not going for scrap. He showed a declaration from the insurance company of the Forthbank. So the Belgian prosecutor lifted the arrest order. The Belgian government warned the owner that legal action could be taken. That was possible if the Forthbank went to India or any other non-OECD country for demolition following its departure from Antwerp.
Scrapped in Chittagong
The Forthbank escaped from the Antwerp harbour on the ground of its insurance papers. For that reason it had to go on sailing for another three years. The vessel ended its sailing life in 2002. It was scrapped at the beaches of Chittagong in Bangladesh. In January 2000 the Clidebank had been scrapped in Alang in India.
Remarkable ships Pacific Princess ('Love Boat') is on the Greenpeace list. More remarkable ships...
Are you connected to the shipping industry, a shipspotter, a harbourmaster, a crew member or in any other way able to localize the positions of ships? We need your help!
Free electronic newsletter ShipBreakingNews.
If you want to receive regular updates on the Greenpeace shipbreaking campaign, click here!
home
|
about shipbreaking
|
news archive
|
photo & video
|
documents
