Bloomberg has reported that increasingly vessels are changing their flags from European ones to others to avoid legislation implemented by the European Union that has prohibited using tidal beaches to break up ships.
For example, 'Justus' spent 19 years under a European flag operated by Konig & Cie. At the last minute, its flag was changed to a St. Kitts flag. The vessel was then transferred to be broken up in the Indian state of Gujarat, under an owner called "Malwi Ship breaking". India's ship graveyards are notorious for been extremely dangerous. A few days after 'Justus' was landed a worker died by falling from an insecure ladder.
When contacted by Bloomberg, a representative for Konig & Cie said the vessel had gone into administration and said they were not involved in the flag change.
Despite the EU ban, European vessels continue to come to India to be broken up. Beside St. Kitts, other flags that allow this include from places like Comoros, Nevis and Tuvalu.
Gopal Krishna, founder of ToxicsWatch Alliance, told Bloomberg that in India's ship graveyards workers commonly expose themselves to asbestos and lead.
"This is not shipbreaking, this is international hazardous waste trade. This is transfer of toxics from developed nations to a developing nation."
Photo: Stéphane M Grueso
