A former Royal Navy assault ship, which is due to be scrapped, arrives on the River Mersey later.
HMS Intrepid, which served during the Falklands War in the 1980s, was towed out of Portsmouth on Friday evening.
The ship is on its way to Canada Dock, where the Environment Agency say it will be recycled in "full compliance with environmental regulations".
Some dock workers are refusing to work on the ship until they receive further guarantees regarding health and safety.
Leavesley International, which owns the 12,000 tonne vessel, is to carry out the work.
"Our members have expressed safety concerns and are totally refusing to touch this ex-naval vessel"
Richard Norris, from the Ministry of Defence equipment and support disposal sales authority, said it was the first time in years an MoD vessel had been recycled.
He said: "This is an exciting initiative, which demonstrates the UK's commitment to safe and proper disposal.
"It will be the first time an MoD vessel has been recycled in the UK for many years and provides an excellent example of the public and private sectors working together to achieve environmentally and commercially sound recycling."
But Tony McQuade, from the Unite union, said: "Our members have expressed safety concerns and are totally refusing to touch this ex-naval vessel.
"There has been no consultation or risk assessment for workers handling this vessel when it arrives for scrapping in Canada dry dock today."
Peel Ports, which operate the Mersey Docks and Harbour Company, has so far been unavailable for comment.
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