HC allows import of scrap ships on conditions

The High Court (HC) on Monday ruled that import of ships for scrapping will be allowed subject to conditions of ensuring workers' and public safety as well as environmental protection. The conditions will be enforced until the framing of rules in the light of six existing laws relating to protecting health, life and environment. Passing the orders, a division bench comprising Justice AHM Shamsuddin Chowdhury and Justice Sheikh M Zakir Hossain issued a series of directives while disposing a petition filed by Bangladesh Ship-breakers Association. Time: 10:22 PM The court prohibited ships entering into the country for scrapping without pre-cleaning and environmental certificate. No ship can be scrapped without cleaning toxic gas while untrained workers under-18 cannot be engaged in ship-breaking job. - UNB