Ship recycling is
one of the most misunderstood industries in the world, according to the CEO of
GMS, one of the world’s largest ship traders, Anil Sharma.
“The industry is
seen in a very negative light but it is actually a very green one. It is
responsible recycling,” he said, noting that 98 per cent of a ship was
recycled.
Around 95 per cent
of ship recycling is done in Asia, mostly because this is where the greatest
demand for the scrap metal is. The concentration of facilities has created an
entire infrastructure for recycling, with teams descending on the vessels to
buy everything from the metal to the copper cables, and from bedding to
cleaning supplies.
He acknowledged
that there were bad yards, with the practice of scrapping ships on beaches
frowned upon by serious operators.
Ship recycling, a
$3 billion industry, grown in recent years, with 666 ships scrapped – 34
million DWT – compared with just 133 new builds.
There are some
yards in Europe that recycle ships, mainly in Turkey, Dr Sharma said, and
although shipyards could easily convert from building to scrapping, the
industry could not work in isolation.
“There is
considerable demand for scrap metal in Turkey but Malta would find it hard to
compete with yards there as the labour costs here would be higher, and you
would also need to ship the scrap,” he said.
Dr Sharma was one
of the high-profile speakers at the first Mare Forum held at the Grand Hotel
Excelsior, Floriana, last week, that attracted an international gathering of
representatives from shipping, commodities and oil and gas, as well as
marine/maritime issues.
Transport Minister
Joe Mizzi said the government supported such initiatives as Malta had the
natural potential to become a leading maritime centre in the Mediterranean.
“I will not make
apologies for being ambitious. I want Malta to be recognised as one of the most
important maritime centres in the world and spread the word that we’re not just
open for maritime business but that we will scout relentlessly for new business
around the globe,” he said.
“My first
frustration is simply that we do not shout about our maritime industry enough.
Considering its influence and importance, it has an unaccountably low public
profile. When was the last time you read a story about our maritime industry on
the front page of your paper?
“If one asks me
where we can find the future of a flourishing Mediterranean maritime industry,
my answer is clear – in our schools and universities. One of the best ways we
can secure the future is to invest in skills and training. As a former
seafarer, one can expect that this subject is very close to my heart. A
successful and sustainable industry needs the right people, with the right
skills and rewarding careers paths to attract new entrants.
“We can all be
stronger through opportunities grasped by those whose competencies reinforce
our competitiveness. Skills are clearly integral to the maritime sector’s
future but the sector also needs a stable business and fiscal environment if it
wants to grow.”
The event was organised
by Mare Forum in conjunction with GM International Services, whose chairman
John Gauci-Maistre also referred to the efforts of states like Malta and Italy
and private entities, which have put aside commercial interests, at a great
cost, to carry out migrant rescue operations.
Source: times
of india. 26 April 2015
