space Press Releases, News Stories

Fairplay

8 February 2002   -- Some owners very reluctant to reveal their scrap plans Only three companies have so far responded to the Greenpeace internet listing of the names of 50 ships that may soon be scrapped.

The environmental group has challenged owners to declare that their vessels will be "decontaminated" prior to demolition.

Greenpeace says it will monitor the ships and has called on crew and others to help track them and provide information on other vessels set to make their final voyage.

It selected the 50-strong list using criteria including age and whether a tanker is single hull. The aim is to get hazardous materials such as asbestos and PCBs removed before the vessels are beached.

But so far no owner or operator has signed the pledge, although the AP Moller group says it already complies with more than what Greenpeace demands.

Its 36,000-dwt Sea-Land Mariner (built 1980) is one of four boxships that Greenpeace reckons may soon be making their last trips.

Moller, however, says in its reply to Greenpeace that it does not own the vessel, which is on long-term charter, and it will not be decommissioned in the near future.

MSC has also replied to Greenpeace, saying it has no plans to scrap the 17,000-gt cruiseship Rhapsody (built 1977), one of six passengerships featured on the list.

Greenpeace's Marietta Harjono says the organisation has also been contacted by a lawyer representing the Australian owners of the 15,200-dwt general cargoship Pacific Emerald. They want to hold talks and discuss the toxic waste issue, she says, although they have no plans to scrap.

"We will get back to them, probably this week, to see if we can convince them to sign a declaration or at least make an inventory of hazardous materials," said Harjono.

Although Greenpeace's list focusses on ships that could be scrapped over the next few years, four vessels have already been earmarked for the breakers since the names were posted on the internet.

The ships are the 27,500-dwt tanker Valle Bianca (built 1977), the 255,500-dwt tanker Flandre (built 1977), the 139,500-dwt tanker Artemis 11 (built 1975) and the 30,300-gt cruiseship Costa Riviera (built 1963).

Harjono says she is not surprised that only three owners or operators on the list have replied so far, as they need time to consider their position.

However, if they ignore the matter, Greenpeace will assume they do not care, says the group's shipbreaking specialist. The plan is to start a dialogue with owners, she adds.