Even as global environment advocacy group Greenpeace threatened to step up action, the ship 'Riky' sailed in last week at a ship-breaking yard in Alang, about 220 km from Ahmedabad.

"The ship has been inspected and no hazardous cargo or material was found on board barring asbestos used as insulating material, which is nothing uncommon," an environment ministry official told IANS.

Though the ministry had earlier denied receiving any verbal communication from the Denmark authorities to stop the ship from entering the Indian waters, it has now admitted having received official communications, albeit late.

"We received ministerial communication from Denmark through the diplomatic channels only after the ship had docked in Gujarat," the official said.

"The ministry reply is being sent to the Danish government through proper diplomatic channels."

The Danish ship, originally named 'King Frederik IX', had reportedly given the authorities the dodge and acquired a new name 'Frederik' that has further been shortened to 'Riky' since leaving its home country.

With no instructions from the environment ministry, the ship was allowed into Indian shores after paying the customs dues.

After docking at Alang, the ship has being inspected by a team comprising officials from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB), the Gujarat Maritime Board (GMB) and local customs authorities, according to reports from Ahmedabad.

"With the environment ministry having given the go-ahead, the ship-breaking activity has started," the official said.

The Indian authorities maintain that no international laws have been violated in permitting the ship to dock in Gujarat.

"The only requirement for the ship, according to the Rotterdam Convention, is prior consent from the host country. So if the ship contains no hazardous material or it has received prior consent, then no action is taken," officials said.

Their contention is that mica and asbestos is often used in the ship body. While mica is used for light switches, the asbestos is used on broiler and pipes due to their insulation properties and ability to withstand heat.

"As Indian regulations have not banned manufacture or use of asbestos, no action will be taken against the ship if the material is found to be part of the body," the ministry official said.

Official sources claim there could be commercial considerations in the outcry over the ship being brought to Indian ship-breaking facilities when a similar facility has been set up in the Netherlands.