Sat 18 Feb 2006
The current issue of Foreign Policy magazine has a spectacular
photo essay by Brendan Corr on shipbreaking in Bangladesh: huge
ships driven at full speed onto the beach at high tide, armies of
workers trudging out to strip them with bare hands. The physical
danger is intense; the health and environmental consequences are
potentially dire, as these tankers and container vessels and cruise
liners are loaded with asbestos and other contaminants.
Please see
http://www.foreignpolicy.com/issue_janfeb_2006/endoftheline1.html
-Robin
February 19th, 2006 at 11:05 pm
I’ve had the chance to visit one such anchored ship many years ago. I had several observations,
1. There is no VIP way to get on the ship. You have to wade across the dirt and mud, then knee deep water of the sea shore. Then climb up a precariously hanging rope ladder to the lower deck.
2. The feeling of sadness. The whole ship is suddenly abandoned. As you walk through the living quarter of the crew, you will see letters, personal stuffs memoriblia scattered all over. I remember collecting several books from different rooms.
3. The security detail was enormous. Never anywhere in Bangladesh I’ve ever seen such a tight security. Every entry exit in the site is logged, everybody, whoever he or she is will be searched. You won’t see a fraction of that security in Bangladesh airports.
4. The anchoring is an image to remember. It was classic shock and awe. Suddenly a ship in full throttle crashes on the shore. The enormous size of teh vessel is something you will never forget.
-Rumi
February 21st, 2006 at 4:51 pm
Has there been a protest against this activity from Bangladeshis? I wonder what the environmental effects are from it all?