Another toxic ship heading for Alang

After Clemenceau, a Malaysian vessel headed for Alang is in troubled waters. The Blue Lady, bought by Indian shipping company Regent Shipping for a reported $17 million, left the Malaysian port of Klang last week and is expected to reach the Alang shipbreaking yards by May 23.

Greenpeace has alleged that the vessel, originally called SS France and then SS Norway, carries a high content of asbestos. The ship weighs 46,000 tonnes and once broken, would be worth about $250 to $400 per tonne.

Earlier this year, Greenpeace had successfully protested against toxic-laden French ship, the Clemenceau. The vessel, which was headed for Alang was recalled by the French government following pressure from environmentalists.

Addressing a press conference here today, Greenpeace toxics campaigner Ramapati Kumar said the ship carries over 900 tonnes of asbestos and is contaminated with other toxic materials such as polychlorinated biphenyls.

"Even Bangladesh has stood up against such dumping and has turned down permission to SS Norway to be broken on its shores," he said.

Greenpeace has also criticised the government for failing to come up with a comprehensive shipbreaking policy that would cover the environmental hazards posed by shipbreaking.