International spotlight on standards in shipbreaking

Former BBC journalist and news anchor Nisha Pillai will shine a light on the controversial world of ship breaking when she moderates a session on improving standards at an industry event next March.

The session will be a focal point for the world’s leading get together for ship recycling and will explore how the industry is tackling the huge challenge of improving standards in shipbreaking centres, such as India, Pakistan and Bangladesh.

During a visit this week to shipbreaking capital Chittagong Forum director Jon Chaplin commented, “Everyone should be concerned with the standards of ship recycling. It’s very clear that a number of breakers are making real improvements to their operations and to the working conditions for the labour force. Ship recycling in Bangladesh must be seen in the context of its considerable benefit to the wider economy and as a vital provider of wages. The changes I have seen taking place are encouraging and signal a serious move towards improving safety for workers and reducing negative environmental impact from beaching ships.” 

Help for Bangladesh’s breakers to improve standards appears to be on hand from the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation which will provide financial support under a new project agreed on Sunday between Bangladesh’s industries minister, Dilip Barua and the Norwegian ambassador in Dhaka, Ragne Birte Lund.

Leading cash buyer of ships for recycling Rakesh (Billu) Khetan, CEO of  WIRANA commented, “The TradeWinds Recycling Forum is a premier event covering the industry with the active participation of all its significant players. Here, the debates and dialogues result in an impetus for progress in the industry.” Chaplin added, "I am really looking forward to Nisha’s expert moderation of what will no doubt be a passionate and informative debate on standards."

The 4^th TradeWinds Shiprecycling Forum will take place at Singapore’s Four Seasons Hotel on March 12-13, 2012.