MUMBAI: Even as there is an ongoing war of
words between environmentalists, authorities and trade over entry into Indian
waters and subsequent dismantling of some ships which are controversial in
nature and content, the country's shipbreaking industry is busy sealing its
current position as world's top shipbreaking nation.
In 2011-12 ,India reclaimed its lost position
as the world's largest ship-breaking nation with its yards in Alang and
elsewhere demolishing 415 ships. According to industry sources, another 150
plus vessels are waiting for their turn at the dismantling units.
While Pakistan emerged as the second largest
shipbreaking country, Bangladesh and China took the third and fourth
positions, respectively. Though Bangladesh used to filch the top slot in
shipbreaking till recently, the industry in the neighbouring country is yet
to find its feet as social and political pressures have dislodged its working
in full form.
"We do not really know what is happening
on the government front about its response to European Union's proposal to
change ship recycling regulations ," said a shipbreaker from Alang. "The
industry is doing pretty good,thanks to large supply of vessels for
breaking.The dollar appreciation against Rupee did not impact much of the
business," he added.
However, the trade body that he is a
member, Iron Steel Scrap & Shipbreakers Association of India (ISSAI) said
that the government has contacted industry stakeholders for their comments on
the various changes proposed by the EU.
In its reply to the ministry of steel,which
is the focal ministry for ship-breaking in the country, ISSAI said that India
should strongly oppose the proposed EU Regulations on export of ships for
recycling. 'First and foremost it infringes the sovereign rights of India in
controlling an industrial activity on its soil," noted the letter.
It also reminded the government that the
industry has always maintained that the IMO Hong Kong Convention on Ship
Recycling, which the EU is strongly supporting, eventually intends to do away
with the economical 'beaching' method followed by India in ship recycling .
According to local breakers, whether it is EU
flagged ships or any other ship dismantled in Indian ship recycling yard, all
are subject to local regulations, including Supreme Court directives .
Substantial improvements have already been made at Indian facilities.
"The industry is not against
improvements. Additional requirements can be made through national laws but not
by getting Indian ship recyclers registered with EU," said PS
Nagarsheth,president of the association .
"Instead of improving the implementation
and monitoring of their regulation, they have proposed the new regulation not
to curb the loop holes but to give freedom for non compliance of the present
regulation to ship owners. It is a clear attempt to pass responsibility of ship
owners /EU citizens to non OECD countries/ship recyclers ," he added.
"They have no right to interfere in
sovereign rights of other nations," said Mr Nagarsheth.
"It is a pretty difficult task for the
authorities to play the balancing act when it comes to living upto
International Conventions even as you play the supporting role to local
industries ," was the cryptic reply that a shipping official could give
when asked to comment.
Meanwhile, protests and demonstrations voice
concerns of environmentalists and organizations against illegal entry into
Indian waters or presence of controversial foreign vessels in Indian shores for
demolition.
For example, in his letter to over a dozen
government authorities , Gopal Krishna, convener of Toxics Watch Alliance
(TWA), pointed to the illegal movement of end-of-life US ship Exxon Valdez in
Indian waters. The Delhi-based environmental group keeps track, among other
things, of corporate crimes and their impact on humans and ecosystem.
"... It is reliably learnt that the
hazardous and end-of-life US vessel has got permission to anchor off Bhavnagar
from Gujarat Maritime Board on June 28,2012.This vessel is moving to Bhavnagar
in the name of inspection by the GMB and Gujarat Pollution Control Board. Its
movement must be halted to demonstrate that Indian law enforcement agencies are
not subservient to US Ship Disposal Policy."
He said its presence 'off Mumbai is a
manifest act of illegality . The violation of Supreme Court's order,
international law and the complicit violations of Indian laws and US law is on
full display.'
According to him, another hazardous US ship,
'Delaware Trader' has been cleared by the US maritime administration for
dismantling in the shipbreaking yards of Alang.
TWA demands that 'Delaware Trader' should not
be allowed to enter Indian waters. These ships enter Indian waters and present
fait accompli to the law enforcement agencies.
Source: The
Economic times. 30 July 2012
http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2012-07-30/news/32942503_1_ship-owners-shipbreakers-association-indian-ship
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