Toxics Action against Shipbreaking Tokio Express in Rotterdam Harbour

Greenpeace activists protest against plans to scrap the ocean carrier Tokio Express in China and demand that its owner, Costamare Shipping and its operator Hapag-Lloyd ensure that hazardous materials are removed from the ship prior the scrapping. Activists paint warning messages in Chinese and Hindi on the hull of the ship while it is docked at the port of Rotterdam. 'We paint the warnings on Tokio Express today to indicate that a ship bound for scrap is still loaded with toxic materials', states Claire Tielens, Greenpeace Toxics campaigner. 'Companies from the rich OECD nations must stop dumping their hazardous waste on poor countries and take the responsibility for this waste'. Also present at the action is an independent asbestos removal expert from the Netherlands who has been commissioned by Greenpeace to assess the costs of removing toxic substances from the Tokio Express. Greenpeace demands Hapag Lloyd and Costamare to provide an inventory of hazardous materials on board the vessel and remove them prior to scrapping. The companies also need to disclose what has been done to improve working conditions and the environmental performance at the chosen shipbreaking yard.