The Union environment ministry’s order refusing beaching permission to Platinum II, a US origin ship, has proved futile. The ship is so damaged that it now touches the floor of the shallow sea off the Gujarat coast where it had anchored. It is now likely to be dismantled at Alang ship-breaking yard instead of being sent to the US.
The ship has grounded off Gopinath Point; it has developed leakages, said a letter from the Gujarat Maritime Board (gmb) to the ministry. The letter says the ship will have to be salvaged (read dismantled) there itself, said M Subba Rao, director with the ministry. The ministry had refused the ship permission to anchor after it found Platinum II was sent in violation of the US Toxic Substances Control Act; the ship contains 238 tonnes of asbestos (see ‘Toxic ship cannot beach at Alang,’ Down To Earth, November 16-30, 2009). A gmb official said the ship has to be removed as it is affecting sea traffic. As per rule, the owner (Platinum Investment Services Co of Liberia) has to salvage the ship or pay penalty, he said. But its ownership is not clear. Gopal Krishna of Indian Platform of Shipbreaking said the ship is being forced on India as part of a conspiracy.
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