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The selection of Leavesley
International as the MoD preferred bidder for the disposal of HMS Intrepid
was announced by the Ministry of Defence Disposal Services Agency (DSA)
earlier this month.
DSA, working with DEFRA, have pioneered an innovative plan for the
responsible disposal of UK flagged end-of-life ships. Following a lengthy
period of public consultation HMS Intrepid will be the first Royal Navy
ship to be disposed of in accordance with the recently published DEFRA
Guidance Notes on Ship Recycling. The ship is also the first to be
disposed of under the Green Passport scheme as adopted by the
International Maritime Organisation. Currently located in Portsmouth
Harbour, HMS Intrepid will be dismantled in the UK in accordance with the
Basel Convention on the cross border shipment of waste. Negotiations will
now take place with the Preferred Bidder with the aim of awarding a
contract in Spring of this year.
A DSA spokesman said:
I am delighted that, following an intense competition, Leavesley
International has been selected as the Preferred Bidder. The way is now
clear to move forward to awarding a contract, so we can deliver a
responsible and sustainable solution to the Royal Navy.
In addition this ground breaking project will go some considerable way in
achieving the objectives and aspirations outlined in the DEFRA UK Ship
recycling strategy.
James Leavesley, for Leavesley International said:
Leavesley International is extremely pleased to have been selected as
Preferred Bidder for this important project and we look forward to
continuing our relationship with DSA to reach contract award.
There has been much press speculation regarding the process of ship
dismantling. The practices of the South Asian yards in particular have
attracted universal condemnation and there is a demand for the
establishment of a high quality dismantling facility in the UK.
Leavesley International proposes to recycle the ship in a strictly
controlled and managed environment maintaining the highest health and
safety and environmental standards.
Stuart Halsey, Project Leader and Head of Business Development for
Leavesley International said:
The recycling of ships is an inherently sustainable activity where over
95% of the ships material can be recycled. HMS Intrepid is a typical
example and Leavesley International will ensure that every effort will be
made to recycle or reuse everything that is not genuine waste
INTREPID was launched on Thursday, 25th June 1964 at the John Brown
shipyard in Clydebank, Scotland and commissioned on the 11th March 1967.
Her life was given a reprieve during the Falklands War as prior to this
she had been earmarked for disposal. She was placed in reserve in 1991 and
eventually decommissioned in 1999 on the 31st August. She has been laid up
at Portsmouth, alongside her sister vessel FEARLESS who was built by
Harland & Wolff, Belfast.
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