News
18-Apr-05 - Able UK Ltd
COMPANY RECEIVES MAJOR EUROPE-WIDE AWARD
Able UK Ltd has received a major Europe-wide award from one of the world’s leading energy companies for its health, safety and environmental standards.
The Remediation Management ‘Diamond Award’ is presented by BP to contractors judged by an independent panel to have contributed most in the areas of health, safety security and environmental leadership, innovation and management.
ABLE received their award at a major conference being held by BP Remediation Management in Swansea and Chairman and Chief Executive Peter Stephenson describes it as ‘recognition by a world-class company that we meet the highest possible standards in tackling highly complex dismantling demolition and reclamation projects.’
He explained “Remediation Management reflects BP’s determination to ensure that all its consultants and contractors work to a policy of no accidents, no harm to people and no damage to the environment. ABLE is the only contractor in the construction sector in the Western Hemisphere-Europe region to win the Diamond Award for 2004 which underlines its significance.
“We have been involved in the demolition, reclamation and reinstatement of process plants and refineries for over 30 years and, as this award demonstrates, we are totally committed to working to the highest possible safety and environmental standards.
“We have a long-standing relationship with many major companies in the chemical, petrochemical and marine industries-including the dismantling of redundant offshore marine structures and ships. We have recently completed the dismantling and demolition of the BP Oil LLandarcy Refinery in South Wales.”
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TERRC UPDATE - SHIP RECYCLING WORKS - Able UK Ltd
as at 17th Jan 05
Environmental Impact Statement (‘EIS’)
The EIS was submitted to Hartlepool Borough Council on Monday 17th January 2005.
Planning Permission
The Planning Application for the building, repair and recycling of ships was submitted to Hartlepool Borough Council on Monday 17th January 2005. We are hopeful that due to the knowledge and prior involvement of the Local Planning Authority that they will be in a position to consider and hopefully give planning approval in May 2005.
Waste Management Licence (‘WML’)
The WML is issued by the Environment Agency. The Environment Agency also need the EIS in order to consider the WML Application, they cannot issue the WML until Hartlepool Borough Council have issued planning approval. On that basis, we are also hopeful to receive the new WML from the Environment Agency in April 2005.
Taking the above into account, ABLE are working on the assumption that they will receive the Planning Permission and Waste Management Licence in April 2005 in order to commence the ship recycling works in May 2005.
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TERRC UPDATE - SHIP RECYCLING WORKS - Able UK Ltd
as at 11th Nov 04
Dismantling Defunct Ships in the UK: Report to be Published 11th Nov 04
The UK Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee has today published its report on dismantling defunct ships in the UK. The report will be posted on the internet at 3:30 pm on the 11th Nov 04 on the Committee's homepage www.parliament.uk/parliamentary committees/environmentfoodandruralaffairs.cfm.
Click here for a summary or download the full report in PDF format.
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COMMENT RE FRIENDS OF THE EARTH CLAIMS ON THE BASEL CONVENTION - Able UK Ltd
1st Nov 04
Yet once again Friends of the Earth is scaremongering by seeking to mislead and misrepresent. Their claims on the Basel Convention’s position are simply wrong. On the basis of the information available, there is nothing in the Convention’s decisions that affects our contract with MARAD and, in fact, in many respects they reflect exactly the arguments we have consistently put forward about the need to provide the kind of facilities we have developed at TERRC (Teesside Environmental Reclamation and Recycling Centre) in order to provide the best possible environmentally sound arrangements for the dismantling and recycling of marine structures including redundant vessels.
For example, the Convention has called for nations and the shipping industry to assist in the improvement of the environmentally sound management of ship dismantling worldwide and the need for countries to encourage the development of domestic ship recycling facilities. As far as we are concerned we welcome the decisions of the Convention and we have demonstrated that we are able to meet all the requirements and objectives they have set out.
It is equally important to underline that no final or legally binding decisions were taken at this session of Convention. In fact, the Convention resolved that its working group should work with organisations such as the International Maritime Organisation, examine the practical, legal and technical aspects of ship dismantling and come forward with proposals to its next session.
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US MARAD SHIPS E.T.A. - Able UK Ltd
as at Thu 4th Dec 03
'Caloosahatchee'
Arrived and berthed at TERRC, River Tees - Wed 12th Nov 03
'Canisteo'
Arrived and berthed at TERRC, River Tees - Thu 13th Nov 03
'Canopus'
Arrived and berthed at TERRC, River Tees - Thu 27th Nov 03
'Compass Island'
Arrived and berthed at TERRC, River Tees - Wed 3rd Dec 03
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ABLE CONFIRMS AMERICAN SHIPS CONTRACT - Able UK Ltd
28th Jul 03
Able UK today announced a major disposal contract which will underline its position as one of the world’s leading marine decommissioning facilities.
Managing Director Peter Stephenson says the contract with the United States Government’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) will involve the recycling of 13 redundant merchant vessels from the US National Defense Reserve Fleet—a large collection of ships which are available for recommissioning in the event of a national emergency.
The vessels will be towed from the James River in Virginia, where they are currently berthed, to Able UK’s Teesside Environmental Reclamation and Recycling Centre (TERRC) at Hartlepool where they will be dismantled in ‘dry dock’ conditions.
Said Mr Stephenson “This is a project which is good news for Able UK and the region in underlining our position as a major centre for handling complex marine decommissioning projects. The United States Government, in examining the options for the disposal of these vessels, has recognised that TERRC is one of the best facilities in the world and Able UK has a long and successful track record in handling this kind of work.
“I believe that the decision by MARAD to award the contract to our company will also be welcomed by responsible environmental organisations who recognise that land-based recycling, in specialised facilities and under strict conditions, is by far the best available option for the disposal of redundant marine structures.
“Bodies such as Greenpeace have campaigned strongly over the need for proper standards for the disposal of redundant vessels and an end to the practice where ships are either sunk at sea or transported to a number of developing companies where they are literally scrapped on the beach with no proper controls or protection.
“The arrangements for this contract and Able’s ability to handle a project of this size have been subject to comprehensive vetting and approval by both American and UK environmental agencies. The vessels selected for inclusion the contract have been surveyed in detail and will be cleared as seaworthy by the Independent Surveyors and the US Coastguard service before they are moved to TERRC. In addition the vessels will be inspected and approved by Lloyds of London who will be providing insurance for the towing operation.
“TERRC 25 acre Dry Dock is large enough to moor all 13 vessels and once they have arrived, the dock will be drained and sealed, allowing the safest possible conditions for disposal. This operation is similar to the work we have been undertaking for many years .”
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THE MARAD PROJECT - BRIEFING NOTE
The Maritime Administration in the United States (MARAD) is responsible for a large number of ‘mothballed’ merchant vessels known as the National Defense Reserve Fleet. It is envisaged that these vessels could be recommissioned in the event of a national emergency.
The Reserve Fleet vessels are based at a number of locations in the United States, including the James River in Virginia. MARAD and the US Government recognises that in reality a significant portion of the fleet would not be suitable for recommissioning and has, therefore, been looking at the options for disposal.
There are very few facilities worldwide able to deal with large-scale projects of this kind. The Teesside Environmental Reclamation and Recycling Centre (TERRC), located close to the mouth of the River Tees, covers 126 acres and includes a 24.7 acre ‘dry dock’ facility has been specifically developed to handle large number of vessels and structures at the same time.
TERRC was developed eight years ago by the Able Group of companies which has been involved in decommissioning and waste removal for over 30 years, specialising since 1985 in the handling of redundant offshore structures, including waste removal and disposal.
Able UK was selected by MARAD for the disposal of vessels from the Reserve Fleet after a lengthy vetting process in which all aspects of the company’s performance and track record—together with the facilities at TERRC—were subject to the closest possible scrutiny.
The programme for disposal of the vessels has also been subject to scrutiny and approval by environmental agencies in both the United States and the UK. It should also be pointed out that the environmental community, including bodies such as Greenpeace, recognise that land-based disposal in specialised facilities provides the best option marine Structures.
The alternatives, involving either sinking at sea or effectively beaching them and then allowing uncontrolled (and often unprotected) dismantling—a situation all-too-common in a number of developing countries—both pose very serious environmental and health dangers.
The contract involves the disposal of 13 vessels currently moored in the James River. Their movement from the United States to TERRC will be undertaken by highly experienced international towing companies, taking all appropriate safety precautions for an operation of this kind.
TERRC is able to handle all 13 vessels at the same time. Once within the facility the basin will be drained and sealed—allowing ‘dry’ dismantling which, as well as being much safer for those undertaking the work, will prevent any risk of wastes from the vessels entering surrounding waters.
The kinds of materials and wastes contained within these vessels are very similar to those found in the redundant offshore structures and ships which Able has been handling for almost 20 years—and at TERRC for the past decade. The facility is fully-equipped for onsite handling of all such materials and wastes.
The decision by MARAD to select Able UK and TERRC for this work is recognition of the position of the company and its facilities as a world leader in the field of marine decommissioning. When TERRC was first opened by Able UK it was widely welcomed within the Tees Valley and the North East as providing an opportunity for the region to benefit from the expected growth in the decommissioning industry.
It also demonstrates that, through its work with leading companies in the offshore and marine industries, Able UK and TERRC has gained a reputation for its expertise and ability to handle complex and challenging decommissioning projects.
NOTE: Stringent safety measures have been taken in selecting and preparing the vessels for processing at TERRC. Able UK itself has had staff working with the US Government to carry out a full inventory of the vessels. Experienced surveyors have undertaken a complete survey of each vessel and compiled a list of work needed in order to prepare the vessels for towing.
Before the vessels will be able to leave Virginia they will be inspected by the US Coastguard Marine Inspection Department and the Coastguard will sign documents stating that the vessels are in a seaworthy condition for the tow. The tugs used in the operation will also have to be approved by the US Coastguard.
Towage of the ships has been insured through Lloyds of London whose surveyor will travel to Virginia to inspect the vessels and satisfy himself of the seaworthiness and that the necessary works have been carried out before issuing a certificate of approval in order to allow the tow to commence.
Decisions on the route the vessels will take will be made in agreement with the insurance underwriter’s surveyor and the tug company and will depend on weather and traffic conditions at the time.
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