First Ghost Fleet Ships Leave VA

October 6, 2003

The first two of 13 Ghost Fleet ships are leaving Virginia as part of the four ship pilot program as authorized by Congress. The plan to export 13 ships from the James River Reserve Fleet to the AbleUK facility in Teesside, England is environmentally responsible and fiscally sound according to a satement released by MARAD, the agency responsible for the ships. In a ruling last week, a federal judge placed a temporary restraining order, blocking the nine remaining ships from leaving the James River to be towed to England for dismantling. AbleUK, the company who will dismantle ths ships in Teesside, England, has agreed to a contract modification as a result of last week's Temporary Restraining Order, issued by the U.S. District Court, to enable the four ships to proceed to its facility this fall. Subject to a resolution of the outstanding issues raised by the lawsuit, the remaining nine ships will depart the James River Reserve Fleet in the spring or summer months of 2004.

Related News

US Anchors Aid Pier to Gaza Beach. Aid Delivery Faces Tough Road Ahead US Studying if Other Bridges at Risk After Baltimore Collapse Suspected Somali Pirates Taken to Seychelles Russia Steps in After India Drops Safety Cover for Sanctioned Vessels Collapsed Baltimore Bridge Blasted into Pieces