Archived press release

Us ghost fleet may be sent back warns environment agency

29 September 2003

The UK Environment Agency has today warned the US Maritime Administration (MARAD) of "the potential consequences" of allowing any of the US Ghost Fleet to sail to Teesside "before all required regulatory approvals are in place...This may lead to the ships being repatriated to the US."

British company Able (UK) wants to bring the fleet of dilapidated US ships, heavily polluted with asbestos, oil and PCBs, to Teesside for scrapping and disposal. But the plan has provoked a storm of protest on both sides of the Atlantic. Many fear that allowing the ships to embark on a 4,500 mile journey may lead to an environmental disaster. Instead the ships should be disposed of in the US and not on Teesside.

The Environment Agency sent an e-mail to MARAD today [1] making it clear that regulatory approvals have still to be completed. "We still need to complete a Habitats Directive assessment as to whether there is likely to be a significant effect on a European site (either alone or in combination with other plans or projects). We have requested from Able an extension of 28 days to complete the determination."

Friends of the Earth's legal advisor Phil Michaels said:

"This dangerous and unnecessary project still does not have the regulatory approvals needed for it to proceed. These ships must not be allowed to leave the United States until these issues have been resolved. If they do, they could be forced to make another hazardous journey back to Virginia. But the answer to all these problems is clear. The USA should deal with its own toxic mess, rather than trying to export it abroad."

In a further development, the Basel Action Network (BAN) and Sierra Club, represented by Earthjustice, have filed a suit in DC Federal District Court to stop the US Maritime Administration (MARAD) from allowing the towing of the first two toxic "Ghost Fleet" naval vessels across the Atlantic Ocean. See www.ban.org

Friends of the Earth has been working closely with Earthjustice on this matter. The first stage of the court case will be heard on Wednesday (1 October), and MARAD have agreed that they will not export the ships before it takes place.

Note

1. E-mail available from Friends of the Earth

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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust