Costa de Almería
Environment Ministry steps in to stop ferry scrapping
By h.b. - Aug 23, 2007 - 8:43 AM
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The 'Beni Ansar' was reported to be about to be sent for scrap on the beaches of India where there are no safety controls
The ferry ‘Beni Ansar’ which has now been renamed ‘Aquaba Express’ has been impounded in Almería port by the Ministry for the Environment.
The ship has been held there since July 12 as the Ministry tries to stop it being sent for scrap in India. Such scrapping is carried out on beaches in India, without any safety or toxicity controls, and the Ministry wants to ensure that before the vessel sets sale that oil, fuel, batteries and other chemicals on board are removed.
It’s the first case of its kind in Spain and the ship scrapyard is reported to be angry at the delays.
The ship owners say there is nowhere in the EU to scrap such a vessel, and they were planning to scrap the vessel in Romania and not India anyway.
Ecologist group Greenpeace have welcomed the Ministry’s decision.