The NGO Shipbreaking Platform has just issued a press release announcing its decision to withdraw from the TradeWinds Ship Recycling Forum that starts today in Hamburg following legal threats from the ship-breaking industry... [P]ress release of the NGO [said]:On Monday, the NGO Shipbreaking Platform, an international coalition of labour, human rights and environmental organisations, withdrew their participation from the TradeWinds Ship Recycling Forum that starts today in Hamburg. This is in response to a letter from cash buyer GMS threatening to sue unless the Platform removes all mention of GMS from their website... “No company would accept to participate in a debate moderated by someone threatening to sue them” says Ingvild Jenssen, Founder and Director of the NGO... “We regret not being able to present our views at TradeWinds where... financers, investors and authorities that are now engaging to set a standard for the industry and who are demanding to move the industry off the beach”. In reaction to the attempt by GMS to silence critical civil society voices that reveal the company’s unethical, dangerous and environmentally disastrous business practices, the Platform...responded in a letter that neither an apology nor retractions will be forthcoming.