Gujarat banks on Clemenceau’s steel

AHMEDABAD: While the decommissioned French aircraft carrier Clemenceau is awaiting its last journey from Toulon in France to Alang in Gujarat, the local shipbreaking and steel re-rolling industry, almost on the deathbed, sees a fresh hope of life in its 27,000 tonnes of steel.

Even as the controversy thickens over pollution hazard likely to occur due to the asbestos laden on the ship, the Gujarat Maritime Board [GMB] and ship breakers in Alang are evaluating it as a badly needed impetus.

This 27,000 tonne aircraft carrier is the biggest vessel to arrive in Alang, the world’s largest shipbreaking facility, in the last decade.

Gujarat Ship Breakers Association (GSBA) don’t find anything controversial about the ship.

“We badly need a big vessel  to revitalise ship liners’ confidence in us internationally. Out of 173 plots, only 16 or 17 are operational in Alang. Earlier, we have received bigger navy ship from US and dismantled as per the norms,” said Raj Bansal, president, GSBA.

According to Mukesh Patel of Sriram Vessels that bagged the contract, the vessel will give a major push to the industry.

“So far as environmental norms are concerned, all the norms and rules would be observed throughout,” said Patel who has roped in renowned Luthra Group for suitable handling of waste material.

Talking to DNA, H K Dash, vice chairman and CEO of GMB said, “The French have chosen Alang due to its expertise in dealing with such equipment. Alang has regulatory framework in place to handle hazardous substance while breaking ships.”

The board has instructed its officials on the ports to make sure that all the obligatory measures are met.