The
European Commission has today published technical guidance for ship recycling
facilities seeking approval under EU Ship Recycling Regulation.
The document
provides clarifications in accordance with the relevant Hong Kong Convention
provisions and taking into account the relevant guidelines of the International
Maritime Organization (IMO), the International Labour Standards (ILO) and of
the Basel Convention.
Under the regulation,
ship recycling facilities that intend to be listed as EU-approved will need to
ensure safe working conditions, pollution control including proper downstream
waste management and enforcement of international labour rights.
NGO, Shipbreaking
Platform the move is inline with calls by environmental and human rights NGOs
for a relocation of ship recycling to platforms that can ensure sustainable
practices.
“Recycling yards
that want to make it on the EU list of approved facilities need to meet high
environmental and safety standards,” commented Ingvild Jenssen, policy director
of the NGO Shipbreaking Platform.
“The EC is clear in
its message: an unprotected beach is never going to be an appropriate place for
a high-risk heavy industry involving hazardous waste management,” she added.
The NGO also noted
that according to the EU, ship recycling is an industrial activity that needs
industrial methods, equipment and standards. Workers and the environment
anywhere in the world have the same right to protection under the EU
Regulation.
The organisation
added that attempts by some Member States with strong shipping interests to
water down the requirements of the Regulation, more specifically, to accept
low-cost beaching facilities in South Asia as environmentally friendly and safe
for workers in order to make it on the list, have not been successful.
Global
Reference Point
According to the
Shipbreaking Platform, the EU list of approved ship recycling facilities will
become a global reference point for sustainable ship recycling.
It was said to
reward the companies that already have or are willing to invest in the
necessary infrastructure and the employment of fully trained workers to ensure
safe and environmentally sound recycling practices.
The NGO added that
the recycling yards responsible shipping companies such as Hapag Lloyd,
Wilhelmsen, Grieg and Royal Dutch Boskalis work with in Europe, China and
Turkey will most likely feature on the EU list after having provided evidence
that they comply with the requirements, and in some cases also having improved
their practices in order to meet the European standard.
By promising to
clearly distinguishing good from bad practices, the EU list was said to have
also already prompted the establishment of new facilities that see
opportunities for an increased market share.
For ship owners,
the NGO said that the EU list will be the only guarantee that their end-of-life
vessels are not causing harm to workers and the environment.
Backed by
‘independent verifiers with qualifications’ and audits by the EC or agents
acting on its behalf, a further important warranty lays in the right NGOs have
to submit complaints and concerns to the EC regarding the functioning of a
facility and with that prompt an on-site visit to establish whether the
facility should be removed from the list.
“While only vessels
sailing under an EU flag will be legally obliged to use an EU approved
facility, any shipping company around the world with a responsible policy can
use the EU listed facilities to prove their effort,” concluded Jenssen.
Source: waste-management
world.
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