Press Releases - ABLE

EUROPE CHALLENGED OVER SHIP RECYCLING ‘DOUBLE STANDARDS’
14/10/03

The Managing Director of Able UK has today (October 14th) challenged the European Environment Commissioner to explain ‘why if she is concerned about a small number of vessels being brought here from the United States for recycling in the best possible conditions, the EU allows literally hundreds of redundant ships be exported with no proper environmental or safety checks.’

Peter Stephenson was responding to reported comments from Environment Commissioner Margot Wallstrom on Able’s contract with the United States Marine Administration to recycle 13 redundant merchant ships at its TERRC (Teesside Environmental Reclamation and Recycling Centre) at Graythorp.

Said Mr Stephenson “I am astounded that someone in such a senior position should be jumping on the bandwagon without making any attempt to discover from ourselves details of our capabilities, facilities and our plans for ensuring that these vessels are disposed of in the best available environmental manner.

“What makes it worse is that, as the Commissioner for the Environment, she presides over a situation where, according to figures produced by Greenpeace, no less than 124 end-of-life vessels have been exported from European countries this year with apparently no proper checks by the environmental agencies in those countries.

“The Commissioner herself recently told the International Maritime Organisation that she had ‘serious concern’ over the number of vessels being sent to developing countries including China, India, Bangladesh and Pakistan for dismantling in ‘ conditions that, from environmental, health or safety perspectives, cannot be considered sound.’

“Mrs Wallstrom actually estimated that, globally, the number of ships being disposed of in this way is between six and seven thousand a year. Against this background one has to question why she, together with some Members of the European Parliament, is apparently so keen to rush to judgement over a contract which will ensure that a small number of vessels are recycled in one of the best facilities in the world?

“There are some double standards here when the EU, which cannot apparently control the situation in Europe, is apparently attacking the United States Government for giving the lead in dealing with what is a world-wide issue.”

<< back