Toxic ships for scrapping: The government cannot be too careful

It is just as well that the government has acted quickly on reports that a toxic ship sold as scrap and bought by an unknown person in Chittagong, by alerting all concerned to prevent its entry into our territory. We must also thank the international watchdog and BELA for raising the alarm.

The ship in question, associated with toxic waste scandal in 2006, which cost the lives of 17 people and affected the health of a large number in Abidjan, in all probability is destined for the scrapping yards in Chittagong under a newly assumed name. And this was one ship that has very dubious record of carrying out trade in toxic matters throughout the world. Even now, as per reports carried in this daily, although unverified as yet, another ship is in the Chittagong port without clearance of the US Maritime Administration.

The government cannot be too careful in this regard. Despite orders from the High Court, there have been attempts to circumvent the rules and bring in vessels that have become toxic, not only because of the materials that they are built with but also because of the fact that they have been utilised for carrying hazardous materials. This category of vessels is cheaper than others, and therefore in great demand of some unscrupulous businessmen associated with the shipbreaking industry in Bangladesh.

We wonder whether the ship in question has the mandatory detoxification and cleaning certificate. If that be not so, such ships have to be decommissioned, which means that it cannot run on its own power, and could not be in Vietnam as reported, on its own

For us this a sensitive issue. The shipbreaking industry provides the raw material for our local re-rolling mills apart from providing employment. The backward linkages are many, and disruption of any kind is likely to have an adverse effect. The other side of the issue is the hazard that the environment, and the workers that are employed in the industry, are subjected to.

While we would not like the industry to thrive, it cannot be at the expense of the people and the environment that help them to survive.

Source: The Daily Star. Sunday, May 29, 2011

http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=187602