THE ship-breaking and repair firm setting up at Swansea's dry docks has responded to concerns about its activities — and insists it wants to be a "world class" operator in its field.
Swansea Drydocks Ltd contacted the Post following a public consultation by the Environment Agency into the firm's planned operations.
It is poised to refurbish the dry docks and is awaiting an operating permit from the agency.
Swansea Drydocks business development manager Viv Sloan said it is arranging a meeting in the city next month where the public can quiz staff. Details of the date and venue are yet to be confirmed.
Ms Sloan said the firm plans to carry out hazardous material surveys, repairs and conversions through to recycling vessels.
"When we state that we want to create a world class ship repair and recycling facility, we mean it," she said. "We also aim to demonstrate that we are an environmentally responsible company."
She said ships coming in for dismantling must produce an inventory of hazardous materials, which will be checked. If they don't, Swansea Drydocks and "experienced partners" will carry out their own survey. Specialist contractors, added Ms Sloan, will survey vessels for asbestos and remove it in accordance with regulations.
She said Swansea Drydocks would deal with only very small amounts of radioactive waste, from smoke detectors and emergency signs, for example.
"Such materials will be clearly labelled and their location recorded," she said.
The company won't accept materials containing toxic chemical tributyltin, known as TBT.
It said the risk of an explosion due to its proximity to a fertiliser storage plant at the port was considered to be insignificant and fire breaks would be placed around combustible materials.
Hours of operation would be from 7am to 5pm Monday to Friday — or Saturday as required — and materials would be stored on site for as short time as possible.
"Should noise levels present a problem, we will work with the community to address it," said Ms Sloan, who confirmed the company wanted to use Phoenix Wharf as well as the Prince of Wales dock.
It gained consent to use the Prince of Wales dock after a planning inquiry last November.
Source: By richard youle (richard.youle@swwmedia.co.uk). Saturday, April 23, 2011
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