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Scrapship Giovanna abandoned in Århus harbour

For over a year the 25 year old chemicaltanker Giovanna lies deserted in Århus harbour in Denmark. The harbour authorities have tried to sell the ship on auction, but found no buyers for the old and poorly maintained ship. Undoubtedly the ship contains asbestos and is to be considered hazardous waste, non-allowable for export outside of OECD-countries.

Århus Harbour is now innocent hostage in a situation in many ways comparable to Amsterdam Harbour where several ships have been abandoned in a similar way. Harbours all over the world should expect a rising number of abandoned ships, as long as binding legislation (including clear liabilities for shipowners) to regulate shipscrapping has not been accomplished. Greenpeace demanded Danish environment minister Hans Chr. Schmidt to take action and ensure that an inventory of hazardous substances as well as an asbestos remediation plan for the ship is supplied to potential buyers.