Press Releases - OTHER

SHIPS CONTRACT OPENS UP NEW JOBS HOPES, SAYS TVDC CHIEF
03/10/03

The Tees Valley Development Company has today (October 3rd) welcomed the news that the first phase of a contract to recycle redundant American merchant ships at the TERRC (Teesside Environmental Recycling Centre) at Grayhtorp is now set to go ahead.

A United States court has given the go-ahead for the moving of the first four ships to the Able UK facility and today TVDC Chief Executive Neil Etherington described it as ‘very good new for the company, for the people who will gain jobs as a result of the contract, for the environment—and for our efforts to establish the Tees Valley as a major centre for decommissioning redundant marine structures.’

Said Mr Etherington “I think we should be celebrating the fact that here in the Tees Valley we have a company and a facility which really is world-class. The reason Able has succeeded in winning this contract is that, after looking around the world, the United States Marine Administration concluded that TERRC was able to undertake the work to the highest environmental and safety standards.

“There is increasing recognition that handling the disposal of redundant vessels is an international challenge. Anyone who, like me, has seen first hand what goes on in the wrecking yards in developing countries—where ships are literally run up on to the beach and taken apart in the open air with no thought for the environmental or health consequences—knows that things have to change.

“Here in the Tees Valley we have the both the workforce skills and facilities to provide the best possible solution and I certainly believe that we should all be supporting Able UK and its success in winning this contract. The company has been undertaking just this kind of work, especially on North Sea oil structures, for many years and has an international reputation.

“It really is time for an end to the scare stories and the horror headlines. Instead we should looking forward to the prospects of gaining further contracts—and further jobs—in what is a rapidly expanding world-wide market.”

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