The European Parliament adopted yesterday in Strasbourg the
new Ship Recycling Regulation by a large majority. The final text is the result
of a compromise reached last June between the Council under the Irish
Presidency, the Parliament (Schlyter report) and the Commission.
The new EU Regulation will allow ships flying the flag of an
EU member state to be scrapped outside the EU provided that strict standards
are met. These standards effectively mean the end of “beaching” where ships are
simply taken apart on a beach, with consequences for human health and the
environment. Regular inspections, Commission assessments and an increased role
for NGOs will assist ensuring compliance with these standards. Finally, under
the new Regulation, the Commission is required to come up with a proposal on
the feasibility of an incentive mechanism 3 years after entry into force.
Isabelle Ryckbost, Secretary General of ESPO welcomed the
balanced outcome of the political process on ship recycling. “Conscious ship
recycling is an important issue with serious social and environmental impacts.
In that respect, ESPO urges Member States to ratify soonest the 2009 Hong Kong
International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of
Ships, allowing its global application. Furthermore, we remain at the
disposition of all parties involved in view of further discussing the
appropriate application of the polluter pays principle in ship recycling,” she
said.
The legislative text will be formally adopted by the Council
in the near future.
Source: world maritime news.
23 October 2013
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