12 December 2012

International Treaty Obligations on Dismantling of Toxic Ships

The Government has taken a number of steps to ensure environmental protection due to any damage caused by shipbreaking in the country, which include:

Ship recycling activity in India is regulated as per the directions of Supreme Court given in Writ Petition (Civil) No.657 of 1995. Verification of hazardous materials/wastes on board the ship, by way of inspection of ship, is done at anchoring stage by State Maritime Board, State Pollution Control Board and the Customs Department. Petroleum and Explosive Safety Organisation (PESO) for petroleum tankers/chemicals tankers and Atomic Energy Regulatory Board for war ships, atomic nuclear powered vessels, naval vessels, etc., grant necessary permissions after inspection at anchorage.

The State Maritime Boards issue beaching permission as per the laid down procedure. The following certification/clearances are required prior to issue of breaking permissions for any ship by the State Maritime Board:

(a) Gas free certificate being issued by the Inspector of Explosives.

(b) Decontamination Certificate from State Pollution Control Board.

(c) License issued by Directorate of Industrial Safety and Health, State Government.

In May, 2009, IMO has adopted the Hong Kong International Convention on Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships. The Government of India has not yet ratified the Convention.

The above information was given by the Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Environment and Forests, Shrimati Jayanthi Natarajan to the Parliament.

Source: 7 December 2012

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