Gujarat refuses Probo Koala permission to dock

AHMEDABAD: Gujarat Maritime Board has denied permission to Probo Koala, a ship reportedly containing toxic contents to dock at Alang, world's biggest ship breaking yard. The move came after union minister for Environment and Forest, Jairam Ramesh sought a report from the state government regarding the status of the ship. Bangladesh too has not allowed the ship to be dismantled.

"We have ordered port officials at Alang not to allow Probo Koala to dock there. For any ship to be dismantled at Alang clearance from customs authorities and Gujarat Pollution Control Board is needed," Pankaj Kumar, CEO of GMB told ET.

Pollution control authorities in the state said that they will examine the presence of toxic contents as per the standards laid out and submit their report. "Initially GMB will come into picture. We will examine the ship when told to do so," said K U Mistry, chairman of GPCB.

Built in 1989 the 31,255 tonne oil carrier cargo is now named Gulf Jash. Efforts were made to dismantle the ship in Africa and Europe but they did not materialise.