Scrapping under scrutiny

The IMO has asked a group chaired by Bangladesh to look at ship scrapping. Its task is to identify hazards and risks associated with current practices, collect information on previous submissions and actions taken by various governments, and to gather views on where the IMO can contribute.

In addition the group will collate information from the International Labour Organisation, the Basel Convention and the London Convention as to their perceived responsibilities. A report will be provided for MEPC 46 next year.

Greenpeace has called for hazardous substances to be removed from ships before they are sent for scrapping. It says unless urgent action is taken some of the ?dirtiest? ships ever built (those in the 1970s) will already have been scrapped.

Currently 1970s-built VLCCs dominate the ship scrapping statistics as owners of the steam turbine driven vessels see bunker prices soaring. Vessels are fetching around $127 per lightweight tonne, with many going to China which owners seen as more environmentally friendly.