The ship lay-up will be the first in Palau and the proposed site will be at the Kuabesngas, in the Rock Islands.
In August, PALSHIP and the Koror State Government entered into a vessel lay- up agreement for the proposed ship lay – up services.
According to the environmental permit application of the company submitted before the Environmental Quality Protection Board (EQPB) the project will be operated as a facility where shipping vessels may be temporarily anchored because of the economic downturn.
The application said there will be up to 30 ships which will be laid up at the facility at any particular time.
The vessels length will be from 200 to 400 meters in length and may include container vessels, tankers, refrigerators and bulk carriers.
PALSHIP wants Palau to be the site of the services because of its location outside of the typhoon zone, due to its large and deep lagoon, proximity to shipping lanes, adequate communications infrastructure, political stability, labor availability, convenient accommodations and good airline access.
Donald Dengokl, EQPB Acting Executive Officer said the initial major issues that have been identified include impacts on water and air quality and risk of vessel abandonment.
Dengokl said aside from the environmental impact, EQPB is also concern about the socio impact of the project on tourism and local fishing.
Last week a scoping meeting was held which included representatives from the Belau Tourism Association, Palau Visitor’s Authority, Invasive Species, Committee, Bureau of Marine Resources, Bureau of Transportation, Koror State Government, Division of Environmental Health and Palau Conservation Society, EQPB and Dolphins Pacific.
The scoping meeting heard all concerns about the project, Dengokl said EQPB is requesting additional information on the project and conduct a preliminary environmental assessment.
Dengokl said the area where the facility will be located is a class A A water , where the only allowed activities are conservation, research and compatible recreation diving.
The Koror State House of Traditional Leaders in a letter to EQPB last week, opposed the proposal.
“The traditional leaders of Koror State are unanimous in opposition to this proposal and any proposed development in the Rock Islands of Koror, until such time when all land claims within the rock islands are adjudicated and we are ascertained as to their rightful owners,” the letter stated.
The letter added that all the rock islands of Koror including the surrounding reefs and lagoons have been entrusted to the guardianship of Ibedul, the Ngarameketii and the Hamlet chiefs of Koror.
“We take pride in the natural beauty of our rock islands, and this is why, over the years, we have been very careful not to allow any major developments that stand to drastically and irreversibly disturb the natural state of their environment, “ the letter said.
The leaders asked that public hearings be held before any decision is made in order to protect the interests of all stakeholders.
