Alang: scene from Dante's Hell

This is the second time that the Rainbow Warrior is visiting Alang. Since the 'Toxic Free Asia Ship Tour' in 1999 there have not been many changes in Alang. Alang is still a scene out of 'Dante's Hell': in the evening one sees huge smoky fires, the sea swims in a dark fog almost through the day while debris move in and out according to the tide. While at frequent intervals one hears the clang of huge pieces of steel falling to earth.

At Alang, it is a misnomer to say 'ships come here to die': ships kill here. Explosions, falling debris and exposure to toxic materials exact a toll on those working in these ship-breaking yards. Personal protection amongst the illiterate workers is miniscule if non-existent.

Alang provides 10% of India's steel and makes a valuable contribution to the local economy but this is just part of the story. It is also a prime example of double standards between developed and developing countries. Old ships owned by European and American companies are sent here to be scrapped. These old ships contain hazardous material like blue asbestos, Tri Butyl Tin (TBT), oil which would need special handling in any other developed country. However, as life and the environment are 'cheap' in the developing and under-developed world these ships have an easy market here.

There is a recent example Genova Bridge, a British vessel, which has been beached to be broken here. This contravenes the Basel Convention is inherently toxic because of the materials it has been built with. But the British authorities allowed the sale of this ship to an Indian breaker, while refusing MARAD ships from the US on the grounds that they contain hazardous material. Recycling is a good solution on how to deal with end of life ships but should be done in a clean and safe way no matter where in the world it is happening.

We are here to give notice that no individual or nation should be made a victim of double standards. Developed nations should not make a mockery of international conventions just because they do not want to spend more to clean up. Life is not cheap: not in developing nations nor in the developed world.