Toxic ship is given new lease of life
Greenwise Staff
29th October 2009
A toxic tanker destined for illegal breaking up in India, is going to be put back to use after being released by the Environment Agency (EA) from Southampton Docks.
The Margaret Hill, a 50,700 tonne liquid natural gas tanker, had been detained by the EA since August, under suspicion the ship may contain asbestos, and could be destined for illegal dismantling on beaches in India.
After working with the owners of the ship, the EA says the ship is now destined to be refurbished in Dubai before being put back to use as a floating treatment plant for liquid natural gas.
Ships containing hazardous materials can only be dismantled at properly authorised dismantling facilities in either the EU or an Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) country, and must obtain the appropriate permissions.
Liz Parkes, head of Waste and Resource Management at the Environment
Agency said: “There are laws in place to ensure that waste ships are
dismantled in proper facilities where they will not harm people or the
environment. We are pleased that the owners now intend to refurbish the
ship rather than scrap it.”