GREENPEACE PROTESTS THE DUMPING OF TOXIC SHIPS TO ASIA

9 November 1999

Rotterdam - Greenpeace activists today protested plans to scrap the ocean carrier Tokio Express in China and demanded that its owner, Costamare Shipping and its operator Hapag-Lloyd ensure that hazardous materials are removed from the ship prior the scrapping. Activists painted warning messages in Chinese and Hindi on the hull of the ship while it docked at the port of Rotterdam.

"We painted the warnings on Tokio Express today to indicate that a ship bound for scrap is still loaded with toxic materials," said Claire Tielens, Greenpeace toxics campaigner from the Netherlands. "Companies from the rich OECD nations must stop dumping their hazardous waste on poor countries and take the responsibility for this waste."

Also present at the action was an independent asbestos removal expert from the Netherlands who has been commissioned by Greenpeace to assess the cost of removing toxic substances from the Tokio Express. The first estimate of the cost will be prepared in the coming days.

Greek shipping company, Costamare, the vessel's current owner, and German Hapag-Lloyd, the operator of Tokio Express have indicated that the vessel will be scrapped within the next six months in China, but failed to provide a commitment to remove the toxic materials prior to scrapping. Greenpeace has asked the companies to guarantee that hazardous materials will be removed from the ship before it is sent to China. Costamare has scrapped nine vessels in Alang, India in the past four years.

Greenpeace advocates the proper disposal of ships with methods that do not endanger the health of workers nor place the environment at risk. However, in Asia, where most ships end, the scrapping practices have low safety and environment standards. Most ships contain several poisonous chemicals and materials like PCBs and insulating material that can create severe health and environmental problems when removed and disposed.

"Hapag-Lloyd and Costamare have an opportunity to become part of the solution instead of being part of the problem. Should they choose to ignore the decontamination of the ship, they will be responsible for poisoning the workers and environment in Asia," said Howard Liu, Greenpeace Toxics Campaigner in China.

Greenpeace demands Hapag Lloyd and Costamare provide an inventory of hazardous materials on board the vessel and remove them prior to scrapping. The companies also need to disclose what has been done to improve working conditions and the environmental performance at the chosen shipbreaking yard.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
- Claire Tielens, Toxics Campaigner, Greenpeace Netherlands, + 31 6 5347 8693
- Andreas Bernstorff, Greenpeace Germany, tel. +49 171 8780 838
- Howard Liu, Toxics Campaigner, Greenpeace China, tel. + 852 2854 8300