Poisonous asbestos vessel imported: Import order cancelled
Our Correspondent | Monday, 25 August 2008
CHITTAGONG, Aug 23: A blacklisted vessel containing poisonous asbestos has been imported for breaking purposes. The name of the vessel has been changed to avoid detection and is now floating at the outer anchorage of the Chittagong Port (CP) for over a week.
Meanwhile, Mercantile Marine Department (MMD) has cancelled the import order of the vessel, concerned sources said.
The scrap vessel with its changed name MV Enterprise is reportedly imported for breaking purposes from Singapore. Its actual name is Ocen Enterprise. International environmental organisation Green Peace has blacklisted this vessel as it contains poisonous asbestos harmful for human bodies.
Messers Madina Enterprise -- a member organisation of Bangladesh Ship Breakers Association (BSBA) imported this 29-year old vessel. MMD had issued permission in favour of its import earlier. Meanwhile the fact that the vessel is blacklisted leaked out and the Director General of MMD cancelled its import permission and the concerned eight agencies have been informed of the matter accordingly.
Concerned importer organisation was supposed to arrange direct beaching of the vessel at Sitakunda Shipbreaking Yard but it was not possible due to the cancellation of import order. As a result the vessel has been lying at the outer anchorage of the port for over a week.
BSBA sources in this connection said, as the Mercantile Marine Department cancelled its import order, it is not possible to break the imported scrap vessel.
Meanwhile, Mercantile Marine Department (MMD) has cancelled the import order of the vessel, concerned sources said.
The scrap vessel with its changed name MV Enterprise is reportedly imported for breaking purposes from Singapore. Its actual name is Ocen Enterprise. International environmental organisation Green Peace has blacklisted this vessel as it contains poisonous asbestos harmful for human bodies.
Messers Madina Enterprise -- a member organisation of Bangladesh Ship Breakers Association (BSBA) imported this 29-year old vessel. MMD had issued permission in favour of its import earlier. Meanwhile the fact that the vessel is blacklisted leaked out and the Director General of MMD cancelled its import permission and the concerned eight agencies have been informed of the matter accordingly.
Concerned importer organisation was supposed to arrange direct beaching of the vessel at Sitakunda Shipbreaking Yard but it was not possible due to the cancellation of import order. As a result the vessel has been lying at the outer anchorage of the port for over a week.
BSBA sources in this connection said, as the Mercantile Marine Department cancelled its import order, it is not possible to break the imported scrap vessel.