54 End-of-Life Ships Sent for Recycling on South Asian Beaches : Shipbreaking Platform Calls Out Three Italian Firms for Using Substandard Recycling Facilities
The NGO, Shipbreaking Platform has denounced Italian shipping companies Grimaldi Group, Ignazio Messina and Vittorio Bogazzi & Figli for their poor shipbreaking practices and called upon them to take necessary actions to ensure the sustainable recycling of their end-of-life fleet as a matter of urgency.
The organisation - a global coalition of 19 environmental, human rights and labour rights organisations working to end polluting and dangerous shipbreaking - has sent letters to the ship owners and the Italian Shipowners’ Association, inviting them to initiate a constructive dialogue.
According to Shipbreaking Platform whilst an increasing number of ship owners do not want to be associated with dangerous and polluting practices Grimaldi Group, Ignazio Messina and Vittorio Bogazzi & Figli have continued to sell their vessels to shipbreaking yards that is said are globally acknowledged not to respect basic human rights and environmental protection standards.
Data collected by the NGO Shipbreaking Platform was claimed to chow that since 2009 the three companies have since sold 54 end-of-life ships to South Asian beaching yards for substandard breaking.
In the letter sent to the ship owners, the Platform reminded the companies of their obligations under European waste laws, as well as the standards for safe and green ship recycling as set in the new European Regulation on Ship Recycling.
The organisation said that none of the South Asian beaching yards meets the requirements of the new EU Regulation on Ship Recycling. It assed that being based in the European Union, Grimaldi Group, Ignazio Messina and Vittorio Bogazzi & Figli should adopt a ship recycling policy that is in line with EU standards and legislation.
“The NGO Shipbreaking Platform has constructively consulted with many responsible owners of vessels and has together with these companies identified sustainable solutions for clean and safe ship recycling. We would be glad to exchange with Grimaldi Group, Ignazio Messina and Vittorio Bogazzi & Figli about available solutions”, said Ingvild Jenssen.
However, the organisation added that Naples based Grimaldi Group has reacted to the its letter and acknowledged the importance of proper ship recycling.
Thanking the Platform for having brought this issue to their attention, Grimaldi Group was said to have stated that it remains open to initiating a dialogue with the Platform with the aim of finding sustainable solutions for their end-of-life fleet.
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