GMS weekly report on China ship breaking industry for WEEK 29 of 2014:

The summer months have not been kind to the Chinese market with prices on scrap steel slipping even further, to place them well behind their Indian sub-continent competitors (at least by some USD 150 per LT LDT) and even behind Turkey as well.

Indeed, it would be no surprise if prices fell below even what Vietnam and Indonesian scrap yards are paying on geographically positioned units (usually locally flagged and smaller general cargo types).

It was therefore another bleak week in terms of local sales and even those owners with green vessels for China only, must surely be looking towards India to make up for the extremely disappointing prices on show.

Source: steel guru. 22 July 2014

http://www.steelguru.com/international_news/GMS_weekly_report_on_China_ship_breaking_industry_for_WEEK_29/344560.html

GMS weekly report on Pakistan ship breaking industry for WEEK 29 of 2014:

As THE market player of the moment, Pakistan buyers tried their utmost to divert any of the market tonnage their way. Having secured a number of vessels recently, including several VLCCS gas free for man entry, demand remains ripe for larger units in particular, at similar prices.

Indeed, even those vessels considered prime India candidates ended up in Pakistan hands, with the TBS controlled bulker TUSCARORA BELLE (7,394 LDT) fetching a very decent USD 491 per LT LDT (with 450 T bunkers on board included in the sale).

Furthermore, with the way the India market has been moving during the last week, it may not be a surprise to see even more units diverted into Pakistan, to satisfy the lush demand at present.

Source: steel guru. 22 July 2014
http://www.steelguru.com/international_news/GMS_weekly_report_on_Pakistan_ship_breaking_industry_for_WEEK_29/344558.html

GMS weekly report on Turkey ship breaking industry for WEEK 29 of 2014:

The ongoing dearth of tonnage continues to keep demand prevalent and prices from the local market, relatively firm. In fact, there are a few (eager) local recyclers, who are willing to offer a few notches above prevailing levels, just to get a unit or two and keep their yards active, rather than risk facing closure.

Notwithstanding, there may be some hope for the local market in the coming weeks. As was anticipated by local recyclers, the conclusion of the month of Ramadan would see the market pick up and supply increase and as is being reported, a dip in the freight rates in the Med / Black Sea area did see supply firm up by a touch this week.

Accordingly, we may well see Turkey take in a fair share of sales in August.

Source: steel guru. 22 July 2014

http://www.steelguru.com/international_news/GMS_weekly_report_on_Turkey_ship_breaking_industry_for_WEEK_29/344562.html

Shipbreaking move invites fisherfolk’s ire in Kozhikode:

The government planned to support the lobbies behind the vessel dismantling projects in Beypore as they had been forced to leave from their earlier unit at Azhikkal in Kannur.

A joint action council of various fishermen’s organisations and environmental forums has threatened to launch an indefinite agitation in protest against the alleged move by the Kerala government to give the “go ahead” for ship-breaking works at Beypore.

Leaders of the action council said in Kozhikode on Monday that the government planned to support the lobbies behind the vessel dismantling projects in Beypore as they had been forced to leave from their earlier unit at Azhikkal in Kannur district.

Threat to health

They alleged that Steel Industries Kerala Ltd. and some of the big industrialists in the sector were emerging as promoters of the business, which posed strong threat to the environment and the health of people.

Rajesh Warier, one of the leaders of the action council formed against the ship-breaking works, said various environmental and social organisations would team up in Kozhikode to launch a mass people’s agitation on August 24.

He also affirmed that the support of people in the literary and cultural spheres of Kozhikode would be sought to mobilise public opinion for the cause.

“We would never be able to support this highly polluting and destructive ship-breaking works here as it fetches its benefits to only an affluent minority,” he added.

Source: the hindu. 22 July 2014

http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/kozhikode/shipbreaking-move-invites-fisherfolks-ire-in-kozhikode/article6236060.ece

State Human Rights panel visits Steel Industries Kerala unit

TNN reported that amid charges that the ship breaking and building unit of Steel Industries Kerala Limited, a public sector undertaking in Azhikkal, has been generating hazardous pollutants, the State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) visited the unit and recorded people's complaints on Thursday.

According to commission member Mr KE Gangadharan, who visited the site, the concerns seem to be genuine. But the management of SILK has been ignoring the issue.

Mr Gangadharan said that "Many have complained of itching and inflammation in their eyes. Lack of immediate action might lead to serious issues. A study is required to assess the gravity of the situation. Despite examples like the Kasaragod endosulfan tragedy, we pay no heed to such issues."

He said that the management of SILK apparently have little interest in running the unit as per rules and that there seem to be gross violations. In the wake of our findings, we will submit a report to the government and recommend proper action. The unit does not even have a licence from the panchayat.

However, the management of SILK said that they have taken all safety measures and that efforts are on to get a licence from Azhikode panchayat.

Mr P Manoharan the unit's manager said that "At a recent meeting called by the district collector, we were given guidelines and we are trying to implement them. Efforts are also on to get a licence from the panchayat after renewing the certificate from the pollution control board (PCB),"

However, the management has no answer as to why it failed to get licence from the panchayat though the unit was established in 1984. Incidentally, the collector has given them an ultimatum to obtain all licences and environmental clearance by July 21, failing which they will be asked to close down.

Mr Pavithran K president of panchayat said that “The management has been trying to obtain the licence only since receiving the ultimatum, according to Azhikode panchayat. "Earlier this week, we got an application from SILK for the licence. But they have no PCB certificate, without which licence can't be issued.”

Source: steel guru. 20 July 2014

http://www.steelguru.com/indian_news/State_Human_Rights_panel_visits_Steel_Industries_Kerala_unit/344378.html