space Press Releases, News Stories

Press Release
Basel Action Network / Greenpeace

Despite police expecting the protest action, five activists from New Zealand, the Netherlands and Britain boarded and blockaded the P&O Nedlloyd's Encounter Bay in protest at plans to scrap the vessel in Asia without safely removing its toxic contaminants including cancer-causing asbestos and heavy metals.

The five activists chained themselves to ship mooring lines and hung banners reading 'P&O Nedlloyd - Stop Toxic Trade' at 7pm. Police used a launch and an inflatable boat to cut the activists from four mooring lines and an anchor point on the side of the ship. All five were arrested and removed from the site. They are being held overnight in Auckland central police station and are due to appear in court tomorrow.

During the protest a police boat rammed a Greenpeace inflatable against the side of the Encounter Bay ignoring the safety of both the crew and a protester, Phil Lloyd of Whakatane, who was suspended from an anchor point on the side of the ship.

"Today's protest was successful in blockading the ship and delaying its planned departure from Auckland by several hours," said Greenpeace toxics campaigner Michael Szabo.

"Our message to P&O Nedlloyd and to the whole shipping industry is clear: detoxify your ships before they are sent for scrapping in Asia," said Ravi Agarwal of the Basel Action Network (BAN).

Greenpeace demands that the New Zealand Government enforce international laws prohibiting the transit of vessels such as Encounter Bay to Asia for scrapping.

"The New Zealand Government must act on its responsibility to the environment and the people of Asia," said Michael Szabo. "This practice is both illegal and morally wrong. New Zealand's inaction means it supports rich countries using poor countries as toxic waste dumps."

"P&O Nedlloyd has admitted this ship will be scrapped in Asia," said Ravi Agarwal. "The Encounter Bay is nothing but toxic waste in disguise."

Countries around the world are moving to end this practice. In September the US placed a moratorium on exporting government-owned ships for shipbreaking. "This step reflects the serious concerns that have been raised about the potential threats to the environment, worker safety and public health posed by overseas scrapping operations," said US Vice President Al Gore.

It is possible to safely remove toxic materials such as asbestos from ships, as has been done to Greenpeace vessels.

Further information: Michael Szabo or Ravi Agarwal on +64 25 790 817. E-mail: Michael.Szabo@dialb.greenpeace.org