Ship Recycling Industries Association in India has admitted that 53 ships were beached at Alang Ship Recyling (Breaking) Yard without mandatory Gas free certificates for Hot Work. This is in violation of the court order issued in September 2007.
Now the Association is trying to convince the court
- that Gas Free certificates are relevant only to Oil Tankers.
- that regulations regarding radioactive components are to be applicable to nuclear fuelled ships only.
Though the Association’s views are logical in a broader view, the procedures to ensure safety can not be compromised. Suitable local government agencies in the ship breaking yard have to ensure that Safety Comes First and Always. Also safe working conditions for the personnel in the yard are to be ensured.
Here is the map showing the location of Alang
Alang is located about 50 kms from Bhavnagar in Gujarat. The nearest rail link and airlink is also Bhavnagar.
Some photographs of Alang Ship Recycling Yard
Image Source:bhavnagar
News Source:timesofindia
Update: October 15
On the occasion of Blog Action Day 2008 with the theme ‘Poverty’, Sea Fever Blog covers extensively with video clips, the hardship faced by the South Asian workers in the Ship Recycling Industry due to Poverty. Read more from Sea-Fever Blog.
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Interesting but troubling post. Hope the situation has changed since originally written.
Thanks for linking to the Sea-Fever blog post for Blog Action Day 2008.
Always enjoy your MarineBuzz. Keep up the great work!
Peter A.Mello,
Nothing changes in India too fast other than political parties re-groupings.Thanks for your encouraging response.