North's ghost ships scrap industry wins backing

8:54am Wednesday 28th June 2006

PLANS to scrap toxic ghost ships in the North-East have boosted by backing from One NorthEast and the TUC.

The regional development agency has been assisting the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) in the preparation of a national ship recycling strategy. Consultation on a draft version of the strategy has now ended.

Meanwhile, the Northern arm of the TUC has suggested the North-East could develop a "leading edge" capacity to dismantle such vessels safely.

Both Hartlepool-based Able UK and Swan Hunter, on Tyneside, are hoping to be involved in the lucrative international ship-scrapping market.

Ray Thompson, a marine sector specialist with One NorthEast, said: "We have stressed to Defra that the North-East has the skills and expertise to share in the growing global demand for work to safely dispose of decommissioned vessels.

"This work could bring real economic benefits to the North-East which - due to stringent UK guidelines - would be handled in an environmentally sound way."

Peter O'Brien, policy officer with the Northern TUC, said: "For far too long, ships have been dismantled in countries where there has been a complete disregard for workplace health and safety and the local environment.

"With smart public and private investment, coupled with robust health and environmental safeguards, regions such as the North-East could develop leading-edge capacity to dismantle and recycle ships."

A Defra spokesman said: "Detailed responses to the consultation will be analysed over the next few weeks, and a summary of those will be published in due course.

"Publication of the final strategy, which has to be signed off by ministers, is expected to be later this year.

"Defra, meanwhile, is considering commissioning a new study into the economics and environmental considerations of ship recycling."

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