Scrapped ships must be broken safely, EU says

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Ship breaking which can expose workers to asbestos and other hazards must be done more safely to cut down on high accident rates, health risks and pollution, the European Union said on Wednesday.

"Workers in South Asia are being exploited and their lives put at risk working in deplorable conditions, while coastal areas are being polluted and ecosystems threatened," EU Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas said in a statement.

The statement contained proposals for a new international convention on ship breaking.

Between 200 and 600 large merchant ships are taken apart for their valuable scrap metal every year and most of those removed from service in Europe end up being broken on beaches in South Asia, the statement said.

The demolition takes place mainly in India, Bangladesh and Pakistan, providing thousands of jobs. Health and safety conditions are poor, however, as labourers work on vessels containing hazardous materials such as asbestos.

France was forced to recall a decommissioned battleship -- the Clemenceau -- from Indian yards in 2006 following widespread protests from environmental groups because the ship contained an estimated 270 tonnes of asbestos and other toxic substances.

The International Maritime Organisation is preparing a globally binding convention to provide comprehensive control and enforcement on safe ship recycling.

Negotiations for the convention are due to finish by May 2009, but it is not expected to enter into force before 2015.

The statement from the Executive Commission, executive arm of the 27-nation EU, proposed measures including the following: