Press Releases - ABLE

STATEMENT ON US “GHOST” SHIPS: DECISION MADE ON TEMPORARY STORAGE
7/11/03

Following discussions today between Margaret Beckett and Secretary Mineta of the US Department of Transportation, it has been decided that for safety reasons, the first two ships currently on the way to the UK will continue to Hartlepool for safe storage, pending return to the US.

This decision was taken after consideration by the Environment Agency and Government Departments of alternative storage sites. No other site is able to take the ships safely at short notice. The UK Government and its Agencies continue to work intensively with the US authorities to resolve the issues associated with the other two ships currently in transit to the UK.

Environment Secretary Margaret Beckett said today:

“ I have impressed on the US authorities that the proposed shipment of these vessels to Hartlepool for dismantling cannot be completed consistent with international rules and Community law. In this situation the law requires the ships to be returned to the United States.

“The immediate return to the United States of the first two ships, which are now approaching the Channel, would be impracticable, not least because of concerns about the weather.

“ We have spent the last few days urgently exploring with the appropriate Agencies, colleagues in Government and the United States, how best to store the ships temporarily. We have concentrated on identifying the option that best secures the safety of the vessels and protection of the environment. Temporary storage at Hartlepool best meets these objectives, pending their return to the US at the earliest opportunity.

“When the ships arrive at Hartlepool, the Environment Agency will place requirements on them to ensure the environment is fully protected and that the ships remain ready for return to the USA ”.

“We continue to work closely with the United States authorities to examine the safety and liability concerns they have raised to proposals that the second pair of ships return to the US. We take those concerns seriously, and are looking for rapid resolution of that question. “

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