India rejects ship’s recycling
INDIA refused today to grant permission to recycle a US cruise ship.
“There have been allegations that the ship has been brought into India with a falsified flag and registry,” the environment ministry said, explaining why Delhi rejected Platinum II.
The ministry also instructed the Gujarat Maritime Board continue its investigation of the 26,658gt ship’s contents, citing what it termed the “precautionary principle” as a guiding factor in refusing beaching permission.
The ministry’s technical team inspected the ship last month. It has been awaiting permission to beach about 40 km from Alang in Gujarat state.
Shipbreaker Komalkant Sharma, who bought the vessel, had earlier told Fairplay that his facility in Alang is equipped to safely handle toxic materials.