The NGO Shipbreaking Platform denounces Italian shipping companies Grimaldi Group, Ignazio Messina and Vittorio Bogazzi & Figli for their poor shipbreaking practices and calls upon them to take necessary actions to ensure the sustainable recycling of their end-of-life fleet as a matter of urgency.
The Platform has sent letters to the Italian ship owners and the Italian Shipowners’ Association, inviting them to initiate a constructive dialogue with the NGO.
Whilst an increasing number of ship owners do not want to be associated with dangerous and polluting practices , Grimaldi Group, Ignazio Messina and Vittorio Bogazzi & Figli have continued to sell their vessels to shipbreaking yards that are globally acknowledged not to respect basic human rights and environmental protection standards. According to data collected by the NGO Shipbreaking Platform, the three Italian companies have since 2009 sold fifty-four end-of-life ships to South Asian beaching yards for substandard breaking.
In the letter sent to the Italian ship owners, the Platform reminds the companies of their obligations under European waste laws as well as the standards for safe and green ship recycling as set in the new European Regulation on Ship Recycling. None of the South Asian beaching yards meets the requirements of the new EU Regulation on Ship Recycling. Based in the European Union, Grimaldi Group, Ignazio Messina and Vittorio Bogazzi & Figli are asked to adopt a ship recycling policy that is in line with EU standards and legislation.
“The NGO Shipbreaking Platform has constructively consulted with many responsible owners of vessels and has together with these companies identified sustainable solutions for clean and safe ship recycling. We would be glad to exchange with Grimaldi Group, Ignazio Messina and Vittorio Bogazzi & Figli about available solutions”, said Ingvild Jenssen.
Naples based Grimaldi Group has reacted to the Platform’s letter and acknowledged the importance of proper ship recycling. Thanking the Platform for having brought this issue to their attention, Grimaldi Group further states that they remain open to initiating a dialogue with the Platform with the aim of finding sustainable solutions for their end-of-life fleet.
Source: NGO Shipbreaking Platform
