BELA issues legal notice, demands independent probe, shutdown of Ferdous Steel shipbreaking yard
The notice, issued yesterday (16 August), also called for the cancellation of all licences, clearances and no-objection certificates issued to the shipbreaking yard.
The Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA) has issued a legal notice demanding an independent investigation into the deaths of nine workers at Ferdous Steel Ship Recycling Industries in Sitakunda, Chattogram, and immediate suspension of all operations at the yard.
The notice, issued yesterday (16 August), also called for the cancellation of all licences, clearances and no-objection certificates issued to the shipbreaking yard.
BELA sent the notice to the secretaries of the ministries of industries, environment, and labour, the director general of the Department of Environment, the inspector general of the Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments, the chief inspector of explosives, the director general of the Department of Labour, and senior Chattogram administration and law enforcement officials.
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BELA also sent copies to the Bangladesh Ship Breakers and Recyclers Association and the owner of Ferdous Steel Ship Recycling Industries.
The legal notice comes after nine workers died on 14 August while dismantling the LNG tanker RASI (IMO No. 9176008) at Ferdous Steel's yard in Sitakunda's Bhatiari. The workers were reportedly exposed to toxic hydrogen sulphide gas leaking from a tank inside the vessel.
BELA challenges neutrality of existing probes
Three committees have already been formed to investigate the accident, including one by the Bangladesh Ship Breakers and Recyclers Association and another by the Ministry of Industries.
BELA questioned the neutrality of these investigations, arguing that the shipbreaking association represents the interests of yard owners, while the Ministry of Industries is involved in approving the import and dismantling of vessels.
The organisation demanded an independent probe led by experts with no links to the parties involved.
It also demanded an investigation into deaths and injuries among workers at the Ferdous Steel yard from January 2010 to August 2026, with the findings made public.
Court orders allegedly ignored
BELA said it had filed several public interest cases before the High Court over pollution and worker safety in the shipbreaking sector, which remain under the court's continuing mandamus jurisdiction.
According to the legal notice, the High Court has directed authorities to ensure gas-free certification before ships are cut or dismantled and to control the import of vessels from blacklisted and greylisted countries.
The court also directed that shipbreaking yards should not operate without ensuring environmental protection, waste management and worker safety, BELA said.
It alleged that the RASI was a blacklisted vessel but was nevertheless imported and allowed to be dismantled at the yard.
It further alleged that the vessel was dismantled without the required gas-free certification, raising questions over how the necessary clearances were issued.
Six previous incidents
BELA said the latest accident was not an isolated incident at the Ferdous Steel yard.
It said at least six similar incidents occurred there between 2009 and 2023, resulting in the deaths of three workers and injuries to three others.
Many of the workers involved in those incidents were inexperienced and lacked adequate protective equipment, according to the organisation.
BELA blamed weak legal provisions and inadequate enforcement for the recurrence of fatal accidents at the same yard.
It also called for the reconstitution of the government board overseeing shipbreaking with independent experts, alleging that the existing structure has failed to protect workers and the environment.
Call for shutdown and legal action
BELA demanded the immediate closure of all activities at Ferdous Steel and cancellation of all licences, clearances, and no-objection certificates issued to the yard.
It also called for travel restrictions and passport seizure for the yard owner and its chief official in the interest of ensuring justice.
The organisation further demanded that the laws and regulations governing shipbreaking be amended to bring them in line with the High Court's directives.
BELA has asked the authorities to inform it of the measures taken within three days of receiving the notice, warning that it would pursue appropriate legal action if no action is taken.
