The issue of arrival of controversial ship, Platinum-II, at Alang shipbreaking yard has taken a new turn with Union minister of forest and environment, Jairam Ramesh, being informed with evidence that the ship registry is fake, and it has no valid certificate.
On its arrival, the shipping agent of Platinum-II, Compass Shipping Agents, had issued the ship's provisional registry certificate of Kiribati, which was viewed with suspicion.
Then, one Gopal Krishna of Indian Platform on Shipbreaking, wrote a letter to Kiribati Ship Registry, inquiring about the matter.
In reply, the operation manager of Kiribati Ship Registry, Liau Siew Leng, has said in his email, "The Kiribati Ship Registry confirms that the attachéd provisional registry certificate of Platinum-II is definitely not issued by it.
The ministry of communications, transport & tourism development, Government of Kiribati, further confirmed that the attached certificate of Platinum-II is definitely fake. Perhaps, you can request the Indian authorities to contact us to investigate this matter. We attach a sample of the genuine certificate from the Kiribatri Ship Registry for your guidance."
On receipt of the format of original Kiribati Ship Registry, which did not match with the provisional certificate presented in connection with Platinum-II, Gopal Krishna wrote a letter to the Union MoEF, Jairam Ramesh, and presented proof of the fake registry certificate.
Talking to
DNA, Gopal Krishna said that on Monday, a case will be filed in the supreme court against Platinium-II.
