SC asks panel to probe toxic ship contents

The Supreme Court today asked an expert committee recently appointed by it to examine the contents of the SS Norway, renamed Blue Lady, which is allegedly carrying hazardous substances on its way from Malaysia to Gujarat's Alang port.

The order was passed by a Bench headed by Justice Arijit Pasayat. The Research Foundation for Science and Technology urged the court to take a stand similar to the one in the case of the French ship Clemenceau which contained contaminated asbestos sheets.

Earlier this year, the court had prohibited its entry into the exclusive economic zone of the country and France had recalled it following an order by a French court.

The committee will submit its report to the court in July. The court asked the Gujarat Maritime Board and the Central Pollution Control Board to assist the committee in verifying the contents of the 45-year-old ship.

The Centre told the court that it was looking at environmental issues raised by the Blue Lady coming to Alang for ship-breaking.

It has asked authorities concerned to stop the ship from entering India's territorial waters if it contains toxic material.