3.4 Environmental Aspects
Global environment has been a big issue during the last 10 to 15 years. Since the tanker accident which caused sea pollution, especially Russian tanker accident in Japan Sea in 1997, the hydrosphere environment is a big concern of the world.
Furthermore, the new IMO MARPOL was ratified, which prohibit the operation of single hull tanker of which age is more than 25 years old after July, 1995 if not appropriate modification being done either to convert into double hull structure or to install the effective prevention system against outflow of oil. Many ships, therefore, built in 1970's shall be demolished.
Up to the present, the beaching or slip way method is being executed in India and Pakistan. Although this method account for the majority, this method is not suitable to demolish a large ship such as a very large crude oil carrier (VLCC). This method cause environmental pollution on the beach due to oil and waste disposal from the ship while demolishing.
Hazardous materials generated from the shipbreaking yard, of which shall take measures specially are, drain (spilt out) oils, fragment of asbestos insulation, fragmental scales of bottom paints, etc.
Among those environmentally hazardous materials, a countermeasure against the oil spill from the shipbreaking dock, with which most crucial environmental problem is caused, is crucial for protecting a beautiful coastal area. It is not unusual that some of the existing shipbreaking dock has no countermeasure to confine the oil spill. Furthermore the reason why Taiwan and Korea had withdrew from shipbreaking business was that insufficient countermeasure against the oil spill had caused a sea pollution problem. Therefore, it seems crucial to construct the dock, with which the oil spill is confined, and to have the plant to treat the sludge generated from shipbreaking works.
