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Greenpeace Press Release

13 September 2002 -- 'Gerd', a ship destined for scrapping which contains toxic substances such as asbestos and heavy metals, departed from the Port of Amsterdam last night. Greenpeace activists followed the ship with inflatables to the IJmuiden Locks (1).

Every year, hundreds of ships like the 'Gerd' are sent to scrap yards in Asia. This number is set to increase dramatically over the next few years because single hull oil tankers will be obsolete by 2015. These ships contain lots of toxic waste such as asbestos and heavy metals. During scrapping these toxic substances are released into the environment. Asbestos fibres float in the air. Oil and other toxic substances are released directly into the sea. The working conditions of the shipbreaking workers are also very bad. In countries like India, Bangladesh and Pakistan they dismantle these ships with no protective clothing.

"It's time the shipping industry took responsibility for decontaminating its vessels and for governments to hold ship owners liable for any damage they inflict on people and the environment if they do not scrap ships in an environmentally friendly manner, " said Greenpeace campaigner Marietta Harjono in the Netherlands.

On 10 April 2002, the 'Gerd' arrived in Amsterdam and was detained because its Norwegian owners were in debt. In June, the ship was sold to the Liberian 'Advanced Distribution Company Limited' but the buyer withdrew its offer after Greenpeace asked the company for an inventory of hazardous materials and announced it was going to track the ship. The 'Gerd' was to be auctioned again on 5 September, but it became clear the ship had already been sold. Greenpeace strongly believe that a shipbreaker company made the transaction.

According to information received through the Greenpeace shipbreaking website, the ship was bought again by the Liberian registered company 'Advanced Distribution Company Limited'. The Amsterdam Port Authority has confirmed this. The new owner renamed the ship 'Tulip'. It is now sailing under the flag of St. Vincent instead of a Norwegian flag. Whether the ship will be kept in service or immediately taken for scrapping to a shipbreaking yard, still remains unclear. “Unfortunately these obscure practices are very common in the shipping industry. There is no duty to report when a ship is being sent to be scrapped at a shipbreaking yard. Ship owners prefer to keep such information confidential“, said Harjono.

The export of waste has been regulated through international treaties and legislation. Recently the Netherlands High Court stipulated that ships-for- scrap are subject to these same rules. Ships sent for scrap which contain toxic substances like asbestos and PCBs are considered as toxic waste and are not allowed to be exported to developing countries.

Earlier this year Greenpeace launched a website highlighting 50 ships that are likely to be scrapped soon on Asian beaches. The 'Gerd/Tulip' is in the top 50. Greenpeace warns the ship owners that it will be actively monitoring these ships. It also demands that, prior to being scrapped, all toxic substances such as asbestos must be removed. By following the 'Gerd/Tulip' to its final destination, Greenpeace will show that these ship owners intentionally evade this obligation to the workers and the environment.