Pakistani shipbreaking yards, which are currently closed for tankers following accidents on uncleaned FSU and LPG earlier this year, could start receiving such vessels but with greater restrictions.
Namely, rumors persist of an imminent reopening to tankers with far greater restrictions on tanker cleanliness prior entry into Gadani, according to GMS, a cash buyer of ships for recycling. GMS added that the rules for cutting a wet ship in India and Bangladesh are far more stringent than many of the international gas free standards.
“This would be an ideal opportunity to remind tanker owners that gas free for hot works standards means that all cargo / cargo residues, slops and sludges would have to be completely cleaned from all cargo and slop tanks, right down to the ladders, handrails and cargo pipelines,” GMS said.
Now that the Bangladeshi budget has finally been withdrawn and clarity has emerged on the Pakistani budget as well, the ongoing reticence from ship recyclers has turned into a renewed aggression to acquire fresh units and some of the empty plots are swiftly being booked with choice tonnage.
The supply of tankers into the Indian sub-continent recycling markets continued at pace for another week as several more high profile sales, including two VLCCs, materialized.