Press Releases - MARAD

ABLE CONFIRMS AMERICAN SHIPS CONTRACT
28/07/03

Able UK has today (July 28th) 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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