Maersk Group has accepted bids for scrapping
four more ships at Shree Ram in Alang, India, plus an additional four at an
LR-certified facility in China.
Maersk did not indicate the sale prices for
the Panamax vessels, but as of November 30, typical demolition values at Alang
were 25 percent higher than those paid by Chinese yards. Maersk has cited the
potential for improving its bottom line in its decision to sell to beaching
yards like Shree Ram; in addition, it asserts that the partnership will result
in social and environmental benefits. “All past experience of changing any
industry points to the fact that real engagement on the ground leads to effective
change,” said Capt. Prashant S. Widge, head of ship recycling at Maersk Group
Sustainability.
In October, investigative journalists with
public interest outlet Danwatch released an expose of conditions at Shree Ram,
the first Alang yard Maersk Group selected as a shipbreaking partner. The
investigators alleged that working conditions at the yard were unsafe, with
deficiencies including:
- unsafe rigging of cutting gas supply lines
along the beach, a risk factor for explosions;
- a lack of appropriate personal protective
equipment, including the absence of safety glasses, earplugs or respirators;
- unsanitary living conditions for workers in
the nearby community;
- limited medical facilities to treat the
wounded;
- and a lack of formal contract papers with
shipbreaking workers.
In response, Maersk acknowledged that the
improvement of the yard's practices was a work in progress, and emphasized its
ongoing compliance efforts. “We have even seen improvements during the short
time we’ve been here, but things still aren’t perfect. Many of the necessary
hardware and capital investments have been made, but what really takes time to
change is the safety mindset. I think we are a few years away from changing
this, but I am confident we can make it,” said Captain Widge.
At the Chinese facility, Jiangyn Xiagang
Changjiang Ship Recycling, supervision will be handled by a third party called
Sea2Cradle, which boasts 15 years of experience with zero accidents. Maersk did
not indicate a role for this firm at Alang; it says that recycling supervision
at Shree Ram will be carried out by Maersk QHSE superintendents and external
consultants.
“With this tender, we have for the first time
seen that the ship recyclers compete not only on price but also on standards.
This indicates a move towards higher standards, and we will continue to
encourage this development,” says Annette Stube.
Maersk's position is controversial, and it
contradicts its own history of opposition to beaching. The advocacy
organization NGO Shipbreaking Platform, along with other watchdog organizations
and a number of European politicians, have called on the EU to ban European
shipowners from using beaching yards like those at Alang.
Source:
maritime-executive.
19 December 2016
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