Greenpeace up in arms against entry of new toxic ship to India

SS Norway, popularly known as "Blue Lady", is reported to have set sail from Malaysia on Friday last and is headed towards Alang shipyard in the western state of Gujarat.

Bangladesh had barred the entry of the 11-storey passenger ship into its waters in February this year before it was fully decontaminated. The ship had been sold to a Bangladeshi ship-breaker for 7.5 million dollars for scrapping in that country.

Greenpeace India official Ramapati Kumar said the cruise liner contains 900 tonnes of toxic asbestos in its frame, double the asbestos content in the decommissioned French warship Le Clemenceau, which was prevented entry into the Alang ship-breaking yard recently following the directive of the Indian Supreme Court.