Financial Daily from THE HINDU group of publications
Friday, May 06, 2005
Financial Daily from THE HINDU group of publications Friday, May 06, 2005 |
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Logistics
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Shipping Industry & Economy - Environment Port workers to boycott fugitive toxic ships Our Bureau
Kochi May 5 STRONGLY supporting the appeal made by environmental groups to the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, to respond to the Danish government request to return the fugitive toxic ship now renamed Frederik, the President of All-India Port and Dock Workers Federation, Mr S.R. Kulkarni, said such fugitive ships should not be permitted to use ports and ship-breaking yards in India. If the authorities fail to take action on allowing such ships in Indian waters, the port and dock workers at Indian ports will boycott the entry of such ships and cargos at Indian ports. The safety and life of workers of Indian ports and particularly at ship-breaking units will be in great danger, he warned. Mr Kulkarni agreed with the environmental groups and the Basel Action Network and Greenpeace that there is an outstanding opportunity for India to demonstrate that it is not a dumping ground for toxic waste from developed countries. He said that the failure of the authorities in allowing such toxic wastes, banned hazardous cargo, including scrap which is carried in container ships bound for India, have resulted in explosions at some of the major ports. The federation also urged the ITF to take the initiative to prevent the carriage of toxic wastes to the ports in developing countries. It also urged Mr David Cockroft, General Secretary of ITF, to direct all ITF affiliates in maritime countries not to allow such ships to be loaded with toxic materials at the port of loading. On behalf of the port and dock workers and other workers employed in ship-breaking units, Mr Kulkarni urged the Prime Minister to seize the ship and send it back to Denmark. As a large number of unprotected workers are employed at different ship-breaking units, he said the authorities concerned should strictly implement the `Hazardous Waste Rules 1999' against the ship-breakers.
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