Only Brussels-approved salvage
yards could be used under new rules
A set of rules coming into force in 2017
would require all ships flying European flags to use only salvage yards
approved by the EU.
That list would not include the yards on
Alang beach in India where ships are scrapped directly on the open beach. The
beaches are notorious for dangerous working conditions where underpaid workers
with basic tools are responsible for the dismantling of the old ships.
“We must stop the intense lobbying from
Maersk, the largest shipping company in the world,” SF’s Margrete Auken told DR
Nyheder.
“We must enforce EU legislation that EU ships
should be scrapped under circumstances that take into account the environment,
the marine environment and the working environment. That does not include open
beaches.”
Not approved
Five salvage yards on Alang have applied to
be on the EU’s white-list, including the Shree Ram yard where two Maersk ships
are currently being dismantled. Auken said that she and her fellow MEPs would
not approve the Alang yards.
“I want to make sure that the commission
stands firm on EU legislation and does not plan to accept Maersk’s desire that
beaches can be used to scrap ships.”
Auken said that beach scrapyards were
“exploding” with hazardous waste and appalling working conditions, and that
approving them would “undo all of the progress we have achieved in the past 20
years”.
Maersk to present its case
Maersk has previously been quoted as saying
it would consider reflagging its ships to non-EU countries if the best yards on
Alang are not white-listed.
“There is a need to find a global solution
that is sustainable environmentally, occupationally and commercially,” Maersk
said in a written comment.
The company will present its case concerning
ship salvaging in November in Brussels.
Source: CHP
Post. 26 October 2016
No comments:
Post a Comment