A highly toxic Chinese ship, detected
with at least “79 deficiencies since 2010” at different ports, is now on its
way to a shipbreaking yard in Chittagong
The Asia Union, formerly known as MV
Humber and MV Cast Otter, is due to enter Bangladesh
The Chinese ship is reportedly
possessing hazardous substances including asbestos, polychlorinated biphenyl, toxic
paints and chemical residues that have a wide range of adverse effects on
humans, wildlife and the environment. If dismantled, the ship would expose
workers and the environment to hazards.
 |
| Cast Otter - IMO 8015673 (until 29 Sep 1994) Photo added by: Tridib |
The Department of Environment (DoE) in
Chittagong has alerted the port authority and the coast guards about the
hazardous ship and urged them not to allow it enter the country for
dismantling, said Tajminur Rahman, senior assistant director of the DoE.
Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers
Association (BELA) in a letter to the DoE, the Mercantile Marine Department and
the Chittagong Customs yesterday warned them about the hazardous ship's
arrival.
 |
Photo added by: Tridib from Shipspotting.com |
BELA said Indian shipbreakers rejected
dismantling the Chinese ship for having hazardous substances. The organisation urged the offices
concerned not to issue any NOC or environmental clearance for dismantling the
ship in Bangladesh
Sources said Global Marketing System
(GMS), a US
Parimal Sharma Barua, operation manager
of RS Shipping, said they had been in talks about the deal and the ship was yet
to arrive. He declined to comment further.
An official of Robins des Bois, a
Paris-based watchdog for protection of people and the environment, said that surprisingly, the ship was never
detained despite being detected with many deficiencies by Port State Controls
at different ports.
“This is a 29 year-old ship coming to
the end of her life. She is in a very bad state,” said Christine Bossard,
in-charge of campaign at Robin des Bois.
Sources in the shipbreaking industry
said the entire process of procuring a ship is done dubiously. Pre-cleaning
certificates, environmental clearance and other documents necessary to purchase
ships are obtained instantly.
Sometimes pre-cleaning certificates are
faked and other clearance certificates are obtained in package deals, said a source in the industry.
The source said there is a plan to
purchase a total of 300 ships in a short time for dismantling.
The authorities have given permission
to dismantle more than 100 ships in shipbreaking yards in Sitakundu since the
High Court on March 7 conditionally relaxed restrictions on purchase of ships
for dismantling.
Source: The Daily Star. Morshed Ali Khan. 16 September 2011
Asia Union : (Added by: Tridib)
Vessel Identification:
Name: Asia Union
IMO: 8015673
Flag: Panama
MMSI: 353537000
Callsign: 3FJR2
Former name(s):
- Humber
(Until 2009 Nov 16)
- Cast Otter (Until 1994 Sep 29)
Administrative Information:
Class society: Det Norske Veritas
Build year: 1982
Builder: Hyundai Heavy Industries, Ulsan , South
Korea
Owner: Minlun Shipping, Fuzhou , China
Manager: Minlun Shipping, Fuzhou , China
AIS Information:
Last known position:
26°27’11.88” N,
119°53’24” W
Status: NA
Speed, course (heading): 0.3kts, 297°
(79°)
Destination:
Location: Ningde China
Arrival: 27th Aug 2011 at 14:00:50 UTC
Source: Shipspotting.com & Vesseltracker.com
http://www.vesseltracker.com/en/Ships/Asia-Union-8015673.html?show=photos
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Net-Logic - UK based technology company and designers of WatchKeeper - The Wireless Bridge Navigational Watch Alarm System(BNWAS).
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