A decommissioned Italian ferry carrying more than 250 tonnes of asbestos insulation has arrived in the Croatian port of Split, triggering environmental and safety concerns from local officials.
The vessel, Moby Drea, is set to undergo asbestos removal at the Brodosplit shipyard, despite having been rejected by Turkish shipyards under strict hazardous waste regulations.
Split city councillor and county assembly member Bojan Ivošević raised the alarm on Monday, warning that the ship poses a serious health risk to residents and criticizing authorities for allowing its arrival.
“A ship carrying 250 tonnes of asbestos has arrived. What could possibly go wrong when a vessel banned from Turkish shipyards is brought to Split and handled by a company known for its financial troubles in recent years?” Ivošević said in a social media post. “They’re unlikely to spare any expense in doing this job properly.”
According to Ivošević, most of the asbestos material is located in the passenger cabin insulation, and the dismantling operation is expected to take place entirely within the shipyard facilities.
Croatia, as a member of the European Union, follows strict waste handling and disposal regulations, particularly regarding hazardous materials such as asbestos. However, Ivošević and other local officials have questioned whether the necessary environmental and safety protocols will be adequately enforced.
Authorities have not yet issued an official response to the criticism. The Brodosplit shipyard, once a major industrial hub, has faced financial instability in recent years, raising concerns over its capacity to manage high-risk dismantling operations safely.
Environmental groups are also expected to weigh in as the dismantling process begins.