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INTERNATIONAL SCRAPPING PLAN STIRS NEW ROW

by Emily Redding, Lloyd's List

31 May 1999 -- Environmental activists have hit out against Hamburg Sud/Columbus Line's decision to dispose of two asbestos-laden containerships in China after claims that the country is safer than the Indian subcontinent.

Greenpeace co-ordinator of toxics in the Netherlands, Eco Matser, said: "I have been to a scrapyard in China and the workers seem to be no more equipped to deal with asbestos and hazardous materials than Indian scrapyards."

Greenpeace and Columbus Line's parent company Hamburg Sud have held talks to discuss the possible removal of the asbestos before the boxships reached Asia.

However the 28-year old Columbus America and the Columbus Australia are scheduled to be broken by state-owned China National Shipbreaking Corporation (CNSC) complete with asbestos material.

The CNSC said its facilities adhered to the principle that ships are not broken up on the beaches - common practice in India - but at the pier.

Mr Matser said he could not judge the CNSC but responded: "The problem of toxic waste is just more apparent if the ship is being broken up on the beach rather than surrounded by water."

Greenpeace has staged several demonstrations against waste dumping in Asia.

Mr Matser said: "The ship owners just worry about getting the steel and not what is left behind after demolition. Toxic waste is a major problem."

He added: "Maybe the Chinese govenment has become more aware and shipowners have increased safety demands but they (the shipowners) have missed the point. Asbestos and hazardous goods should be removed before ships reach the scrapyards."

CNSC president, Yan Heming said he welcomed the growing international awareness of problems surrounding demolition practices, especially in India.

US-based Columbus Line could not be reached for comment.

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