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The selection criteria were based on the service provider's expertise and capacity to adhere to the requirements of the La Rochelle Grand Port Maritime, which included operating an environmentally exemplary worksite, the shortest possible period of use of the port facilities and compliance with economic constraints.

At 87 meters long and 13.7 meters wide, the Anna is one of the biggest vessels to be dismantled in France.

Due to its age, poor state of repair and low market value, it was decided that the best environmental solution was to dismantle the vessel on site. Work began on May 26, 2011 in dry dock number 2 of the La Rochelle Grand Port Maritime. It requires a 15-strong team and will be completed by the end of August 2011 at the latest.

Veolia Environmental Services is undertaking the dismantling work in five stages that have been clearly defined within a comprehensive environmental plan: naval architecture and stability during the deconstruction; asbestos removal and treatment; deconstruction; treatment; reuse/recycling.

The dismantling operations meet stringent safety requirements that take into account both the presence of hazardous waste (asbestos and hydrocarbon waste) and the use of cranes to lift the various parts of the vessel (bow, cabin, etc.). Permanent lifting gear will enable all operations to be carried out in safety.

The operatives are using oxygen cutting to break up the ship. All the different elements are sorted according to the type of waste or materials to be sent for suitable treatment and recovery. Because of the presence of asbestos, the dismantling area is strictly out of bounds to the public.

The bow of the vessel will be conserved and placed on a roundabout in La Rochelle.

The remaining elements will be sorted by type of material to ensure that all recyclable waste will be recovered and residual waste dealt with using the most appropriate methods.

This latest project affirms Veolia Environmental Services' expertise in this new business activity, following on from the dismantling in 2006 of the Médocain (800 metric ton ferry that operated between Royan and Le Verdon in south-western France) and around 40 fishing vessels between 2009 and 2010.