Recently, a ship containing hazardous material, which was denied permission by India and Bangladesh to berth, has been allowed to enter Pakistani waters despite a clear warning by Interpol.
The ship has been anchored at the Gadani ship-breaking yard and work is underway to dismantle it. Let’s have a look into why Interpol denied the entry of the ship and which authorities permitted the said vessel to anchor at the Gadani.
What actually happened?
A ship full of hazardous materials arrived in the coastal town of Gadani located in Balochistan’s Lasbela district despite repeated Interpol warnings. The Gadani Shipbreaking Yard is the third largest ship-breaking yard in the world and consists of 132 ship-breaking plots.
Authorities familiar with the matter said the Interpol had asked Pakistani authorities including the Federal Investigation Agency on April 22 to stop the ship from entering Pakistani waters as it contained 1,500 tons of highly dangerous mercury sludge. The ship was not allowed to enter the waters of Bangladesh and India due to the same reason.
Interpol’s letter was addressed to the Ministry of Climate Change, Ministry of Maritime Affairs, Pakistan Maritime Security Agency, Balochistan Environmental Protection Agency (BEPA) and customs authorities but none took action. The ship previously known as FSO Radent was renamed in Mumbai before reaching Karachi on April 21.
The ship was able to enter Pakistani waters and docked at Gadani with the alleged connivance of concerned authorities. Sources said BEPA officials allowed the ship to be docked without paying heed to the report of concerned agencies.
Workers complain of skin diseases
Despite the dangers of the hazardous material, the owner has deployed workers to empty the ship. Mercury-mixed oil sludge is being removed from the ship and filled in drums for sale.
Workers have complained of severe burning and rashes on their hands and face and breathing difficulties. They requested that their faces not be shown on TV for fear of losing their jobs.
Inquiry launched
Balochistan government has ordered an inquiry into the container in question having been allowed to dock at the ship yard. The deputy commissioner has tasked the additional deputy commissioner with ascertaining:
- Which authorities permitted the said vessel to anchor at the Gadani ship-breaking yard?
- Who is responsible to check documentation before a vessel is allowed to beach?
- Who is responsible for ascertaining threats to the environment before a ship is allowed to anchor?
- How and why did EPA seal the plot and not BDA (Balochistan Development Authority) and that too 20 days after the vessel was beached?
Gadani Ship Breaking Yard Disasters
On 1 November 2016, a massive explosion in an oil tanker at the Gadani shipbreaking yard left 29 workers dead and more than 40 suffering burn injuries. Four workers were reported missing, and no one knows for sure how many workers were at work at the time of the accident.
Government and employers continue to ignore health and safety at the cost of workers’ lives. The accidents are an unambiguous reminder that shipbreaking workers in Pakistan risk death to earn a living.
On 9 January 2017, at least five workers died in a fire aboard a liquified petroleum gas container ship. Seven workers were injured in a fire accident on 14 October 2018.
On 2 November 2018, just a day after workers marked the second anniversary of the accident and paid homage to the victims, five more workers were injured in an accident while breaking the ship Mistral in yard 66.
