Precedents
Greenpeace has given special attention to a number of Top 50 ships. These ships are remarkable because they all set precedents for governments and courts. How should they deal with ships-for-scrap that are toxic waste exports?
International legislation
A ship becomes waste after formalising the intention not to use it as a
ship anymore. Consequently an End of Life Vessel (ship-for-scrap) falls
under the international hazardous waste legislation: the Basel
Convention. But the shipping industry - backed by the
Flags of Convenience - fights this approach with all means.
Chapeau clause
The Basel Convention knows a 'chapeau clause'. This considers an End of Life Vessel that contains asbestos or another 'red' hazardous waste material, entirely as hazardous waste. It's this clause that some governments used and some courts accepted.
Court decisions
Belgian, Netherlands and Turkish authorities tried to avoid End of Life Vessels to be scrapped without being decontaminated. All three authorities are now backed by (High) Court Decisions. French authorities on the other hand encouraged the export of a toxic ship. All cases clearly illustrate the urgent need for a mandatory global shipbreaking regime.
Remarkable ships Pacific Princess ('Love Boat') is on the Greenpeace list. More remarkable ships...
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