Toxic aircraft carrier heading for UK
February 16, 2009
The French aircraft carrier Clemenceau, which was considered too toxic to be broken up in India, is to be dismantled on Teeside. Hartlepool-based Able UK will handle the breaking up of the 32,700 tonne vessel.
The vessel was initially sent for dismantling in India, but was recalled to France in 2006 as a result of concerns over its contents. The carrier is reputed to contain around 700 tonnes of asbestos-contaminated material.
Clemenceau left Brest Harbour last week to begin its journey to Teeside. Work on the vessel is scheduled to begin after Easter and will take place alongside existing contracts to scrap four former US navel vessels.
Able UK has faced resistance to its activities arising from concerns over the environmental impact of dismantling contaminated vessels in the UK. However, the company has now satisfied the authorities that it can undertake this kind of work without risk to the environment.
Peter Stephenson, Able UK's chief executive, made the point that, in the current economic crisis, it was important for the UK to be at the forefront of an industry which has the potential for growth and job creation. The work on the Clemenceau will create around 200 additional jobs.
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