A huge warship deemed too-toxic to be broken up in India is to be dismantled in the UK.

The Clemenceau is a 238 metre long, 32,700 ton aircraft carrier, formerly the pride of the French Navy. She will be taken to Teesside and dismantled alongside the controversial US ‘ghost fleet’ by Able UK Limited (press release).

Given the furore around the asbestos-ridden US ships arrival off the coast of England a few years ago, it seems likely that some people are going to be up in arms about the already-controversial Clemenceau.

The vessel was taken initially to be scrapped in India, before furious French politicians forced then-President Jacques Chirac to call it back. It was, they said, outrageous to be “lecturing the world on the environment while having other countries deal with our toxic ships” (Times).

The historical antipathy between ‘The Frogs’ and ‘Les Rosbifs’ means they are unlikely to be so bothered this time. Also, given environmental standards will probably be tighter in the UK than in India, this is being portrayed as a better option ecologically.

Ingvild Jenssen of environmental group Platform on Shipbuilding told AFP, “Overall we’re happy to see the ship going to the UK rather than India. …[A]s far as we know now, Able does have all its environmental permits and planning permits.”

The Clemenceau’s sister ship, meanwhile, got a far better deal and rather than Teeside is enjoying an extended stay in Brasil.

French coverage

Le ‘Clemenceau’ sera démantelé par des Anglais – Le Figaro

L’ex porte-avions français Clemenceau sera démantelé en Angleterre – AFP