Prevent pollution
The shipping industry is responsible for its own vessels. They should take immediate measures to prevent pollution of the environment and protect the workers that dismantle their ships. They can do that by decontaminating and degassing their ship-for-scrap before export to Asia.
Clean ships
Shipowners should also gradually make their vessels still in operation cleaner.
During maintenance and survey stops, hazardous materials should be replaced
with clean alternatives. A list of hazardous materials found on board of
ships can be downloaded from www.marisec.org
In addition, shipowners should, together with shipbuilders and classification
societies, commit to the development of clean ships to avoid future disposal
problems. Greenpeace calls upon shipowners to sign a statement
on this subject.
IMO
International treaties can help protect the environment and the workers'
health. The International Maritime Organisations
(IMO) is the United Nations
body that regulates the shipping industry. Established to improve the safety
at sea and prevent marine pollution. In March 2002 it started to debate
its role in shipbreaking.
Basel and EU The Basel Convention, under the United Nations Environmental
Programme (UNEP) regulates the international trade in hazardous waste. It
recently accepted guidelines on environmentally sound management of full
and partial dismantling of ships. The European Waste Shipment
Regulation (EWSR) regulates the export of waste within, into and out
of the EU.
International legislation
The International Labour Organisation (ILO)
will work on improving working conditions at shipbreaking yards in India,
Bangladesh, Pakistan and China. The three UN bodies IMO, UNEP and ILO should
together act against dirty and unhealthy shipbreaking. IMO has to take the
lead. It must develop international legislation on ships-for-scrap. Then
the shipping industry can be obliged to take full responsibility for their
vessels. Without an obligation shipowners will keep sending toxic ships
to the poorest and least restricted countries.
Remarkable ships Pacific Princess ('Love Boat') is on the Greenpeace list. More remarkable ships...
Are you connected to the shipping industry, a shipspotter, a harbourmaster, a crew member or in any other way able to localize the positions of ships? We need your help!
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