7 October 2002 (Antwerp, Germany News Location) – Four Greenpeace protesters remained onboard Silver Ray over the weekend , refusing to leave the Greek-owned car carrier berthed at the port of Antwerp. Branding the vessel “floating toxic waste”, the campaigners aim to prevent the vessel sailing because they fear it could be heading for Asian scrapyards without being cleaned up first. On Thursday night the four Greenpeace protesters boarded the vessel, along with experts in asbestos and toxins.

The environmental group relayed its Scrap Opera on the hull of the vessel, which outlines the danger many scrapyard workers face when handling polluted vessels. Greenpeace toxins campaigner Frank Petersen, said the experts (pictured right) had managed to take samples and had now left the vessel. Although the group was still awaiting the results, he said there was enough evidence to suggest the ship had asbestos onboard and that would mean it fell under the Basel convention.

Owned by Stamco Ship Management Co Ltd and built in 1978, the vessel was involved in a fire in May at the Belgian port. It was believed to be chartered by Grimaldi at the time and was taking second hand cars to Africa. Mr Petersen said despite repeated attempts to contact the owner there had been no reaction. For the moment, the campaigners plan to stay onboard in order to prevent the vessel sailing. Silver Ray had also been placed on the Greenpeace Top 50 list of vessels to watch.