Environmental Protection
Engineering S.A.(EPE) has become the first Greek company to obtain
certification from classification society Germanischer Lloyd.
GL is a certified
provider of Inventory of Hazardous Materials (IHM) services. EPE becomes one of
only a handful of companies worldwide that are able to offer IHM in compliance
with the Hong Kong International Convention for the safe and Environmentally
Sound Recycling of Ships and the Guidelines for the Development of the
Inventory of Hazardous Materials.
EPE HazMat Expert, Mr.
Fotis Ploumitsakos said, "This certification is the capstone of
cooperation with GL that has developed over the last three years and has
resulted in the training and certification of EPE's technicians as Hazardous
Materials Experts. It is the result of a continuous process of improvement in
our services that our company has undertaken for more than 35 years. We have
already completed an important number of IHM or asbestos surveys on vessels and
more than 1,000 marine and land asbestos removal projects, and this
certification is a clear sign that we have taken another step in furthering our
goal to deliver innovative services and products to protect the environment and
human life". EPE provides its services worldwide in a short notice &
promotes fleet packages on IHM from which ship-owners can have a real benefit.
With GL's support and guidance we are confident we can continue to meet the
highest criteria set by the global shipping market.
EPE cooperates with
POLYECO S.A., the only fully licensed waste management industry in Greece,
which operates the most efficient environmental analysis laboratory.
Mr. Gerhard Aulbert,
Global Head of Practice Ship Recycling, GL said, "Upcoming new EU
regulations on sustainable ship recycling and the existing Hong Kong Convention and the IHM Guidelines
are some of the most important steps in the maritime industry's push to become
more environmentally responsible. They are important recognition that we cannot
consider a vessel's construction, operation and final disposal as a series of
unconnected steps, but as a holistic process where we continually seek to
minimize its negative environmental impact. Training and certification of
HazMat experts are a vital part of this in assisting the industry to meet valid
regulations and we are pleased to be able to cooperate with such a strong
partner as EPE."
The EU regulations and
"Hong Kong Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of
Ships, 2009" are expected to come into force commencing in 2015. The aim
is to minimize the environmental and occupational health risks of ship
recycling, in the most effective, efficient and sustainable way. In line with
the IHM guidelines new and existing ships will have to carry an Inventory of
Hazardous Materials
(IHM) and the related
International Certificate of Inventory of Hazardous Materials (ICIHM) onboard.
Some 50,000 existing ships will have to obtain the ICIHM within five years, and
new-buildings from the beginning of their operational life.
Source: Marine Link. 22 April 2013
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