Home > Press releases > Archived press releases > 2003 > Ghost Ships To Go To Hartlepool
7 November 2003
The Government today revealed that the first two ships from the US Ghost Fleet are to be docked at Hartlepool, while negotiations are on-going over the second two ships.
Friends of the Earth's director, Tony Juniper said:
"This decision is a complete stitch-up. There is no possible way this can be the closest safe place to store these ships. The Environment Agency made it clear that the ships should be returned to the United States as soon as it was safe, so why are they now sending them half way around the coast, to an area that is environmentally sensitive?
"This decision raises serious concerns. Throughout this whole sorry saga, the competent authorities have failed to ensure the necessary permissions have been in place. I am sure the US authorities will be delighted that Britain is prepared to be the dustbin of America, whatever the environmental risk. But people in Hartlepool will be devastated by this decision. The area needs regeneration, not more dirty jobs."
Friends of the Earth has campaigned for ships from the US ghost fleet to be dealt with in the United States. We have said all along that they should not have been allowed to leave port until al the necessary permissions to receive and dispose of them in Hartlepool were in place.
For further information please contact the Friends of the Earth media team on 020 7566 1649.
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