GMS Response to recent article

DUBAI, UAE - March 10, 2021 - PRLog -- GMS RESPONSE TO RECENT BBC ARTICLE

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) recently published a news article about the UK cruise ships scrapped in India's graveyard. In this article, the BBC attempts to propagate biased opinions about the ship recycling industry in India. After reviewing the misleading information, we are required to address some falsified items stated in the report.

BBC has described Alang, a coastal village in Gujarat, as "The world's largest ship graveyard". However, Alang is the largest green ship recycling destination preferred by global ship owners for recycling of their end-of-life vessels for the following reasons:

1. Major blue-chip ship owners from Japan, Norway, Denmark, Italy, and other developed nations have visited, inspected, audited, and vetted the recycling facilities at Alang. Based on the facts observed at Alang, they have been sustainably recycling their vessels in India. Japanese shipowners' association and the Danish shipowners' association representatives have visited and vetted the recycling facilities to their satisfaction.
2. More than 1000 foreign nationals have visited the Alang to diagnose the difference between facts and opinions spread about ship recycling at Alang. These visitors are none other than the ship owners, classification society representatives, auditors, safety inspectors, diplomats, capital providers, delegates from international banks and pension funds, etc.
3. The infrastructure consists of impermeable floors, fire-fighting arrangements, application of heavy-duty cranes, training to workers, effective hazardous waste management, etc.
4. At present there are 92 out of 120 (77%) yards are Hong Kong Convention compliant and received Statement of Compliance (SOC) from leading classification societies. The classification societies include ClassNk, Lloyd's Register, RINA, and Indian Register of Shipping. They all are members of the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) who are the Recognized Organizations (ROs) for implementing various international conventions on behalf of flag states.
5. The Government of India has appointed the Directorate General of Shipping as an apex body to oversee India's ship recycling activities. The Government of India ratified the Hong Kong Convention in Nov 2019 to promote ship recycling at Alang. India is the only country in South East Asia to ratify the Hong Kong Convention. In addition, as Alang is in Gujarat province, the activities at Alang are further supervised by the Gujarat Maritime Board (GMB).

Conclusion:

Ship recycling in India is a convincing example of the Green Circular Economy. The Government of India has determined to double the capacity of ship recycling at Alang by developing infrastructure and enforcing regulatory measures. Therefore, comments in BBC's article about Alang being 'India's ship graveyard' are entirely unverified.

At http://www.gmsinc.net, we pride ourselves as being responsible leaders in an industry vital to the shipping supply chain.