The Netherlands-based shipowner Seatrade has
faced criminal charges from a local public prosecutor as part of a case
alleging that the company has been engaging in illegal scrapping practices.
Seatrade has allegedly sold vessels to scrap
yards in countries that undertake ship breaking practices that endanger the lives
and health of workers, as well as pollute the environment.
After hearing the case, a Rotterdam Court has
imposed a fine of €2.35m and ordered the confiscation of profits made by
Seatrade on the illegal sale of four ships, including Spring Bear, Spring Bob,
Spring Panda and Spring Deli.
Three of Seatrade’s top executives could also
face a six-month prison sentence.
According to NGO Shipbreaking Platform,
Spring Bear and Spring Bob were sold to Indian and Bangladeshi breakers
respectively.
Seatrade also sold the Spring Panda and
Spring Deli vessels in Turkey without following the international laws
governing the export of hazardous waste or the European Union (EU) Waste
Shipment Regulation, among other regulations, the Shipbreaking Platform
alleges.
All four vessels made their last voyage to
the breaking yards from the ports of Rotterdam in the Netherlands and Germany’s
Hamburg in 2012.
NGO Shipbreaking Platform founder and
director Ingvild Jenssen said: “Despite ongoing criminal investigations, Seatrade
sold two more ships, the Sina and Ellan, for dirty and dangerous breaking on
the beach in Alang, India, in August 2017.
“This case adds itself to the growing demand,
including from investors and major shipping banks, for better ship-recycling
practices.”
In addition, authorities in Norway, Belgium,
and the UK are investigating similar cases of illegal ship breaking practices
involving companies such as Maersk and CMB, as well as GMS and Wirana.
Source:
ship-technology.
15 February 2018
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