Chinese toxic ship MV Asia Union
arrived in Chittagong
Department of Shipping has not
issued any NOC (no objection certificate) in favour of the ship, said Jobair
Ahmed, director general of the department.
The vessel has to return because
its importer never applied for an NOC prior to importing as required by the law
of the land, noted the DG. “The initial steps for importing a scrap vessel are
obtaining an NOC, opening a letter of credit and applying for an environmental
certificate. As regards Asia Union, nothing has been done to import it
legally.”
Formerly known as MV Humber and MV
Cast Otter, Asia Union was detected with at least “79 deficiencies since 2010”
at different ports. It reportedly possesses hazardous substances including
asbestos, polychlorinated biphenyl, toxic paints and chemical residues, which
have adverse effects on humans, wildlife and the environment.
As soon as Asia Union reported its
arrival at 3:30am day before yesterday, the port authority ordered it out of
the port area, which is 5.5 nautical miles from Patenga point, Deputy
Conservator of Chittagong
“A committee comprised of experts
from the Department of Environment [DoE] and other organisations will inspect
the ship. It will only be allowed for dismantling here if the inspectors issue
an environmental clearance certificate,” he added.
According to Coast Guard sources,
the ship is now anchored 5.4 nautical miles off Patenga point.
Sources in the shipbreaking
industry said most of the importers do not bother to comply with the law
because they somehow manage the custodians of the law.
“The Daily Star in its report on
Friday blew the whistle on the toxic ship and our officials don't want to allow
dismantling it,” mentioned a top official of Mercantile Marine Department in Chittagong
Manager (operations) Khairul Wara
of the importer Cosco Shipping said they have asked the DoE to inspect the ship
and issue an environmental clearance certificate. Cosco Shipping is a
subsidiary of the Beijing
Khairul claimed the Asia Union is
quite safe. He complained that a vested group is trying to influence the DoE.
International maritime watchdog
issued warning prior to its arrival in Bangladesh Chittagong
Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers
Association (Bela) in letters to the DoE, Mercantile Marine Department and
Chittagong Customs yesterday also warned them about the ship's arrival.
Bela said Indian shipbreakers
rejected dismantling the ship for having dangerous substances. It urged the
offices concerned not to issue any NOC or environmental clearance for Asia
Union.
The authorities have granted
permission to dismantle more than 100 ships in ship-breaking yards in Sitakundu
since the High Court on March 7 conditionally relaxed restrictions on purchase
of ships for dismantling.
Source: The Daily Star. By Morshed Ali Khan. 21
September 2011
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