The transporting of toxic chemicals around the world in ships should be scrapped, Earthlife Africa eThekwini Branch said Monday.
The call follows the fire aboard the Jolly Rubino, a cargo ship carrying hazardous chemicals from Durban to Mombasa. The ship caught fire on September 10 near the Saint Lucia Wetlands, a world heritage site.
EA representative Bryan Ashe said the Italian owner of the Jolly Rubino and the chemical companies who chartered the vessel to carry their toxic cargo should be held liable for the accident and its impacts.
He said the current pollution off the northern Kwazulu Natal coast was a consequence of the quest for consumer goods that resulted in the production of toxic chemicals, which were then transported and traded around the world in ships.
”This trade allows for floating Bhopal’s to enter our ports the world over, everyday…. all it takes is one accident.”
Shipping companies should take steps to prevent these kinds of accidents.
Ashe said the South African authorities had been engaged in the monitoring of the Jolly Rubino since it first caught fire, and once it became clear that it would become impossible to salvage or tow the ship out to sea, they had been working to ensure that the damage was minimal — often in adverse weather conditions.
”What needs to happen now is that crustaceans are monitored for toxins on a prolonged basis, as the coastal community in Sokhulu relies on mussels in particular as part of their staple diet.”
On September 12, the vessel ran aground 1,2 miles north east of the Cape St Lucia lighthouse 300 metres from the shore.
The master, officers and crew abandoned ship after failing to extinguish the fire, which then spread throughout the vessel causing extensive damage. – Sapa