The disposal of ships and other marine structures raises a wide variety of controversial issues. Recent high-profile cases in the developed world such as the US Navy’s “Ghost Ships” and the Brent Spar oil platform have propelled the question of environmentally defensible methods of disposal to the top of the maritime agenda. Debating the disposal of obsolete ships and marine structures seems to be more important than ever since over the next 5 years more than 2000 oil tankers are to be scrapped. Where will they go and who will take responsibility?

The Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST) and the Shipbuilders & Shiprepairers Association (SSA) have organised a debate on the topic to take place at the forthcoming Seatrade London International Maritime Convention 2005 on 5th October.

A panel of leading experts will debate such issues as:

• How are shipowners evading EU waste shipment regulations?
• Why are governments manipulating the Basle Convention?
• Are there facilities in Asia capable of breaking up and recycling ships cleanly and safely?
• Does sinking ships as artificial reefs really amount to sound ecological management, pollution prevention and prudent fisheries management?