Press Releases - ABLE

ABLE WELCOME "POSITIVE" RECYCLING RESPONSE
26/01/05

Strong backing from the Government for measures to encourage the development of a thriving ship recycling industry in the UK has been welcomed as ‘a very positive development’ by the Chairman and Chief Executive of Able UK.

Mr Peter Stephenson was speaking after the publication of the Government’s initial response to the report from a high-powered House of Commons Committee on its investigations into the issue of ship recycling which was undertaken as a direct result on the controversy surrounding Able UK’s contract for the disposal of a number of vessels from the American reserve Fleet.

In its response to the Committee’ s report the Government makes clear that it ‘keen to see the establishment of high-quality ship recycling in the UK’ adding that ‘we believe that the UK has the skills base and expertise to operates such facilities safely and that such an industry can offer economic benefits to surrounding communities.’

As part of its work on developing a national ship recycling strategy, the Government says it is commissioning a study on ship recycling facilities in the UK, as well investigating possible sources of EU, national, regional and local assistance.

Said Mr Stephenson “Coming only a few days after the submission of our planning application for the continued development and expansion of the TERRC (Teesside Environmental Reclamation and Recycling Centre) facility at Graythorp, such clear and positive messages from the Government are obviously very welcome.

“It’s clear that, as a result of the work of undertaken by the Commons Environment Committee—and the arguments which we and many other people have been putting forward—the Government recognises the need to act on an issue which will become every more urgent given the increasing number of ships which need to be dismantled.

“As well as strong support for measures to encourage a UK ship recycling industry—including looking at possible means of financial support—I am pleased that in its response the Government recognises that the current rules and regulations affecting ship dismantling, including the handling of waste, are entirely unsatisfactory and that there is need to develop new arrangements which are both practical and enforceable.

“We are very confident that the study being undertaken as part of the work to develop a national strategy, will once again underline the fact that at TERRC we have without doubt the best possible facility in this country and indeed Europe—and that within this region we have the experience, knowledge and workforce to become world leaders in the field.”

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