Legal storm forces ghost ships into dock
Two ageing US warships, labelled ‘ghost ships’, are due to arrive on Teeside this afternoon as legal action attempts to decide their fate.
The ships are from a larger flotilla that will conclude its voyage across the Atlantic, as legal disputes continue. The ships will be temporarily stored in the UK, but may have to return to America.
Able UK has a contract and a license for the dismantling of the ships, which involves the safe removal of toxic materials. However, because planning permission was not granted for certain facilities, the firm, along with the US Government, was warned that the ships should not cross the Atlantic.
Environmentalists first raised concerns about the arrival of the ships, which were built when asbestos was commonly used as an insulator, and other toxic chemicals were used in wiring.
Local environmentalists have also warned that they will maintain pressure against the dismantling of the ships, and expect plenty of local support when the ships arrive.
However, Able UK is challenging the decision to block the contract. The firm continues to argue that the work can be done safely within its facilities.
The legal case will continue to run, and whatever the outcome, the ships have been granted permission to remain docked in the UK until the spring. Towing them back across the ocean during the winter is considered too great a safety risk.
