Greenpeace not against shipbreaking

Although we have done our best to say why we're here, there still seems to be a lot of misunderstanding. That's why I want to use this opportunity to explain our campaign once more. Our shipbreaking campaign is to ensure clean-ship recycling, better working conditions for the workers on the shipbreaking yards and protection of the (Indian) beaches and ocean from western toxic waste. Greenpeace is not opposed to shipbreaking in Alang or anywhere else in the world. As a matter of fact we want Alang and India to take the lead in clean-ship recycling and receive more business in the immediate future.

The Greenpeace campaign is primarily focused on the responsibilities of all those involved in an End-of-Life-Ship before it is sold to a shipbreaker and beached i.e. the shipowners. Greenpeace strongly believes that it is the responsibility of the ship owner and the exporting country to deliver a TOXIC FREE ship to the shipbreakers and not a ship which creates all kinds of problems. It is the responsibility of all the concerned authorities in India to ensure this. The shipbreaking industry wants steel - not all the toxic waste that ships contain!

Greenpeace is now in India because we would like to see that the shipbreakers succeed in turning this business into a profitable AND safe one. We are also aware about the economic importance of the shipbreaking industry, its employment potential and its contribution to the overall development of the region. We want to value-add to this industry by making sure that Alang is a model for clean ship-recycling business.

There are three things that need to be done to ensure safe and profitable shipbreaking: Put the liability on the shipowners through a mandatory international law. Ensure through the same international law that no shipbreaking nation can take unfair advantage by lowering environmental and safety standards. Improve conditions the yards in Alang through the implementation of the Supreme Court directives in letter and in spirit.