P&O Supports Zero Emission Shipbreaking

P&O Nedlloyd is helping to develop what is understood to be the first "green" ship recycling facility in response to pressure from environmentalists. 

The Anglo-Dutch container line operator is supporting entrepreneurs who want to build six dry docks at Eemshaven in Holland to demolish "with zero emissions" some of the many single-hulled vessels being driven out of business by tougher safety regulations, following the sinking of the Prestige tanker.

Almost all scrapping is done by hand on the beaches of Pakistan and India, where the fatality and environmental record is acknowledged to be appalling. Six workers in the Alang area lost their lives on Monday in an explosion, one died in April and there were six fatalities in February.

Many vessels ending up on the beaches contain hazardous waste. Greenpeace has mounted a campaign on the issue, targeting firms such as P&O for direct action.

Tom Peter Blankestiyn, P&O's manager of maritime politics and regulatory affairs, said the firm was determined to take its responsibilities seriously and backed the scheme, known as Stichting Tanker Ontmanteling Platform, or Stop. The Guardian