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Controversy Haunts 'Ghost Ships' Scrapping

01 Oct 2003

Following discussions with authorities in Ireland, France, and Belgium, Robin Middleton, the UK Secretary of State's Representative in Marine Salvage and Intervention (SOSREP), has cleared the way with the United States Maritime Administration (MARAD) for Able UK and its contractors to begin the trans-Atlantic tow of the first four so-called 'Ghost Ships' from Virginia to Teesside for scrapping. Able UK has a £16m contract to scrap 13 derelict World War Two vintage military cargo and support vessels from a fleet of approximately 150 such ships anchored on the James River in Virginia.

Mr Middleton found no reason to resist the passage after clear and detailed contingency and passage arrangements coordinated by the Maritime & Coastguard Agency were agreed between the various jurisdictions and Able UK. The MCA will closely monitor the tow throughout and coordinate with the towing company upon arrival in UK waters.

As the four vessels proceed across the Atlantic, court battles have raged in America between MARAD and environmental groups and are threatened in the UK by Friends of the Earth, who argue that the ageing ships could break up during the three week tow and cause an environmental disaster. Friends of the Earth is also seeking a judicial review of the UK Environment Agency's decision to extend Able UK's waste management license to take on the scrapping of the vessels, which contain asbestos and PCBs.

Able UK has a modern facility in a 25 acre dry dock on the Tees near Hartlepool which recycles redundant North Sea oil rigs and other large plant.

MJ Information No: 18752

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