We confirm that GMS has issued a Legal Notice to the NGO Shipbreaking Platform in an effort to protect its legal, commercial interests and the integrity of its employees against defamatory, incorrect and unsubstantiated allegations. We are deeply concerned that the NGO Shipbreaking Platform maintains its negative language when referring to GMS and chooses to consistently present hurtful press articles and press releases in the garb of “news”, that do not truly reflect correct or substantiated facts. We view these as false and defamatory in nature and have been constrained to seek appropriate legal recourse to protect our interests.

We are conscious of the NGO Shipbreaking Platform's decision to withdraw from the TradeWinds Ship Recycling Forum in view of the participation of an eminent expert on ship recycling affairs who was invited by the conference organizers several months in advance in preparation of the conference. We wish to put the following true and correct facts on record:

• The expert selected by the organizers of the TradeWinds conference to moderate two of the sessions is not a “GMS company staff”;  

• The expert is in fact  an independent consultant who is a well-known and respected industry specialist providing his expertise and consultancy services to GMS as well as other industry bodies and international organizations;

• The expert did not attend the TradeWinds conference on behalf of GMS as alleged by the Platform but on behalf of the conference organizers who also covered all his costs to travel and attend the Conference;

• Lastly, the Platform demanded from the organisers of the TradeWinds conference to replace the moderator of the two sessions and when the organizers refused to do so, the Platform ultimately withdrew from the conference.

We maintain that the decision of the NGO Shipbreaking Platform to withdraw from the conference was an independent decision and was in no way related to GMS as alleged. 

GMS is a supporter of publishing and distribution of true, substantiated facts and constantly aims to bring continuous improvement to the ship recycling industry.

We attach herewith a copy of our Legal Notice for your reference and would be happy to respond to further queries if required.