Environmental Concerns Over Long-Distance Transport
Freedom of Information documents obtained by Greenpeace Nordic reveal that the Australian oil processing vessel Northern Endeavour was shipped 17,000 kilometres to Denmark while carrying toxic substances.
Classified as a floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel, the Northern Endeavour arrived at Denmark’s Frederikshavn Harbour in March. It contained flammable liquids, poisonous substances, corrosive substances, toxins, and ecotoxins.
The Australian Government may have breached the Basel Convention by exporting the vessel without the necessary documentation from Australia’s Basel Competent Authority.
Greenpeace Nordic protested the arrival of the vessel, displaying a banner that read, “Australia, deal with your own toxic waste.”
Australia has 5.7 million tonnes of offshore oil and gas infrastructure to recycle, equivalent to 110 Sydney Harbour Bridges. This includes 11 more FPSOs like the Northern Endeavour.
Greenpeace Nordic emphasised the importance of decommissioning these structures locally to avoid environmental risks. They urged Australia to build its own recycling centre.
Call for Local Decommissioning Solutions
Lauren Bowey, Campaign Leader at Greenpeace Nordic, stated, “Australia must not set a precedent of risking the world’s oceans by towing toxic waste across the globe.”
Bowey suggested that Australia needs a local recycling centre to prevent similar incidents. Handling decommissioning projects domestically would be safer.
Greenpeace Australia Pacific advocates for a decommissioning hub in Western Australia to manage such projects locally.
Geoff Bice, WA Lead at Greenpeace Australia Pacific, criticised how the Northern Endeavour was handled. He said, “Gas corporation Woodside shirked its responsibilities and sold the vessel to a company unable to afford proper decommissioning.”
Bice added that developing a local decommissioning industry could provide sustainable jobs for maritime workers and local businesses. It would also allow Australia to utilise its untapped scrap steel resource of 5.7 million tonnes.
Strong regulation and investment in local decommissioning would reduce risks to marine environments. It would prevent operators from abandoning their responsibilities.
Last updated: 29 June 2026, 11:46 am
