Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09MONROVIA443
2009-06-22 07:56:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Monrovia
Cable title:
LIBERIA: BUCHANAN RENEWABLES RAISES SUNKEN WRECK
how-toVZCZCXRO5474 RR RUEHMA RUEHPA DE RUEHMV #0443 1730756 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 220756Z JUN 09 FM AMEMBASSY MONROVIA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1109 INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE RUEWMFD/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE RUFGAID/JIC VAIHINGEN GE RUFGNOA/JICEUR VAIHINGEN GE
UNCLAS MONROVIA 000443
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON EINV ETRD EWWT LI
SUBJECT: LIBERIA: BUCHANAN RENEWABLES RAISES SUNKEN WRECK
FROM PORT BERTH
UNCLAS MONROVIA 000443
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON EINV ETRD EWWT LI
SUBJECT: LIBERIA: BUCHANAN RENEWABLES RAISES SUNKEN WRECK
FROM PORT BERTH
1. On May 23, Buchanan Renewables (BR) removed the wreck of
the Torm Alexandra, which sank at Monrovia Freeport pier
while unloading in July 2001. After initial unsuccessful
attempts to raise the ship, the owners had relinquished title
to the Liberia National Port Authority. Two subsequent
efforts to raise the vessel were also unsuccessful and
eventually resulted in the ship being not only submerged but
capsized, completely blocking use of half Liberia's main
wharf (berths 3 and 4).
2. Given the disastrous history of the Torm Alexandra, BR's
proposal to remove the wreck was greeted with hope but
skepticism. BR, which is involved in road building, export
of rubber wood chips for fuel, and construction of a
rubber-wood fueled power plant, removed the wreck as part of
a deal to remove all the estimated 57 wrecks in Liberia's
ports in exchange for salvage rights.
3. The wreck of the Torm Alexandra had become a symbol of all
that is wrong with Monrovia's port. Its removal, following
closely on the U.S. Coast Guard's recommendation that the
Freeport of Monrovia be found in compliance with
International Security Port Standards, and preceding the
tender for a management contract for port operations, marks
the start of a new day at the port. The opening of the
long-blocked pier coincides with implementation of an
expedited system for customs clearance and could reduce the
time and cost required to import goods.
THOMAS-GREENFIELD
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON EINV ETRD EWWT LI
SUBJECT: LIBERIA: BUCHANAN RENEWABLES RAISES SUNKEN WRECK
FROM PORT BERTH
1. On May 23, Buchanan Renewables (BR) removed the wreck of
the Torm Alexandra, which sank at Monrovia Freeport pier
while unloading in July 2001. After initial unsuccessful
attempts to raise the ship, the owners had relinquished title
to the Liberia National Port Authority. Two subsequent
efforts to raise the vessel were also unsuccessful and
eventually resulted in the ship being not only submerged but
capsized, completely blocking use of half Liberia's main
wharf (berths 3 and 4).
2. Given the disastrous history of the Torm Alexandra, BR's
proposal to remove the wreck was greeted with hope but
skepticism. BR, which is involved in road building, export
of rubber wood chips for fuel, and construction of a
rubber-wood fueled power plant, removed the wreck as part of
a deal to remove all the estimated 57 wrecks in Liberia's
ports in exchange for salvage rights.
3. The wreck of the Torm Alexandra had become a symbol of all
that is wrong with Monrovia's port. Its removal, following
closely on the U.S. Coast Guard's recommendation that the
Freeport of Monrovia be found in compliance with
International Security Port Standards, and preceding the
tender for a management contract for port operations, marks
the start of a new day at the port. The opening of the
long-blocked pier coincides with implementation of an
expedited system for customs clearance and could reduce the
time and cost required to import goods.
THOMAS-GREENFIELD