American cruise ship, formerly the SS Oceanic Independence, now Platinum-II. Inquiries are under way into the circumstances under which the asbestos-laden vessel was granted entry into Indian waters. Photo: http://www.indymedia.org
Monday, February 15, 2010
Rakesh Bhatnagar / DNA
Platinum-II, which lies anchored at the Alang shipbreaking yard off Bhavnagar, Gujarat, is considered an extremely toxic ship. The Union ministry of environment and forests had ordered GMB in November 2009 not to allow the Platinum-II into Alang as its nationality, originality, and registration were suspect.
The central government has told the authorities to investigate how Platinum-II was allowed to anchor at Alang despite orders from the Supreme Court and in violation of international covenants on keeping hazardous ships at bay.
Environmental activists have drawn the SC’s attention to what they claim are glaring lapses on GMB’s part in allowing the 208-metre long and 23,719 gross tonnage Platinum-II anchor at Alang at the behest of the politically powerful ship-breaking industry.
Incidentally, the US Environment Protection Agency had fined the Platinum-II’s last owners, Global Marketing Systems, $518,500 for exporting the ship for scrap without removing toxic substances on board such as asbestos.
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Tags: · Alang Shipbreaking Yard, asbestos, hazardous_materials
I am pleased to report a significant amount of positive feedback from mariners when discussing new MARAD (Maritime Administration) initiatives. In addition to being on the forefront of new LNG programs they are aggressively pursuing new ways of providing job opportunities for U.S. Mariners and, the *word on the street* is they are even working with the IRS to protect our interests with regards to the Sailor Tax Deduction Debacle.
One of the programs that gets too little attention is the Marine Highway Initiative. What is the program nicknamed “American’s Marine Highway” all about. Maritime Administrator, Sean T. Connaughton tells us;
Our marine highways are a cost effective, yet under utilized, method for the movement of passengers, containers, and bulk cargoes that is especially fuel efficient, safe, and reliable.
Accelerated use of the waterborne transportation mode holds forth a special promise for tomorrow in; reducing traffic congestion, enhancing freight flow, expanding freight capacity, and providing a new pathway for hazardous materials.
Maybe it’s because MARAD touts advantageous like “new pathway for hazardous materials” over headline grabbing sound bites that key into popular culture (how about “America’s Green Highway – Moving Cargo While Reducing Greenhouse Gas”) but the program contains major benefits for industry, consumers and the environment.
Despite a long line of marketing errors they might finally be on the right track with the attractive logo seen below and a new video that makes you ask; Why haven’t we been doing this all along?
America's Marine Highway:
Play Now |
Play in Popup |
Download
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Tags: · administration_initiatives, cargoes, Environment, freight_capacity, fuel_efficient, greenhouse_gas, hazardous_materials, marad, mariners, maritime_administration, maritime_administrator, pathway, Regulations, traffic_congestion, transportation_mode, Video, waterborne_transportation
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