Agency agrees 'ghost ship' plan

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The final stage in a Teesside company's long-running battle to scrap so-called US Ghost Ships has been completed.

Able UK has been at the centre of a row over the environmental impact of its planned work in Hartlepool, since it won an order to scrap 13 ships in 2003.

The firm overcame objection from Hartlepool Council, but was awaiting permits from the Environment Agency amid fears about surrounding wildlife.

On Thursday, the agency said it had now issued a waste management licence.

An agency spokesman said: "Recycling end-of-life ships is a good way of recovering scrap steel for reuse.

'Commonsense decision'

"Our job is to ensure that this is done in a manner that does not cause harm to the environment or to human health.

"We have been rigorous in determining this permit and will continue to be diligent in ensuring the right controls and regulations are in place once operations commence on site."

Able UK chairman Peter Stephenson said: "This commonsense decision marks the culmination of almost five years of hard and at times frustrating effort.

"I'm thankful, because it means that we can start work creating jobs and expanding the local skills base in the process.

"Among the vessels that will now be dismantled are four ships from the American National Defence Reserve Fleet.

"While we are pleased that we can finally get started on dismantling these vessels, we have always emphasised that reclamation work is just a fraction of the work we will provide."