The demolition of tankers and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) carriers at Pakistan’s Gadani shipbreaking yards has been banned, according to local reports, citing Chief Minister of Balochistan Sardar Sanaullah Khan Zehri. There have been two recent
incidents causing many fatalities; shipbreaking has now been stopped until proper safety arrangements are made. However, dismantling of tankers and LPG carriers which are already at the yards would continue after proper cleaning.
“The two recent catastrophes in the shipbreaking yards of Gadani, Pakistan – the explosion on November 1, killing at least 28 workers, and the fire on January 9, with another 5 victims – are direct consequences of the total absence of safety measures,” Patrizia Heidegger, NGO Shipbreaking Platform’s Executive Director, said.
“We welcome the fact that the Government of Balochistan seems finally willing to crack down on these appalling conditions. It is shameful that ship owners, cash buyers and shipbreaking yards have been able to make a fortune while workers’ lives are deliberately put at risk,” Heidegger added.
Gadani yards were closed in November, but the Pakistan Ship Breakers Association called on federal and provincial bodies to restart the activities and, following an order by the High Court of Balochistan in December, the works at the site resumed.