Transitional measures for ship recycling

The new transitional measures have been launched by a wide coalition of international shipping industry organisations and developed by an inter-industry working group led by the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS).

“The industry accepts its responsibility to promote the safe and environmentally sustainable disposal of ships in the world’s ship recycling yards, the majority of which are located in developing countries,” said Peter Hinchliffe, ICS secretary general.

Its aim is to help shipowners ensure, to the greatest extent possible, that the end of life ships can be recycled at facilities compliant with the standards of the IMO Hong Kong Convention.

The measures set out advice on the preparation and maintenance of inventories and hazardous materials.

Mr Hinchliffe continued: “Adherence to these Transitional Measures should be seen as a sign of good faith prior to the entry into force of the IMO regime.”

“But they will also help companies avoid falling foul of the separate EU ship recycling regime which started to take effect on 31 December and which is also relevant to ships flying non-EU flags.”

The guidelines also address measures which shipping companies are strongly recommended to take now when selling end of life ships for recycling.

While the revised transitional measures take account of the new EU regime, they also reaffirm the shipping industry’s support for the earliest possible entry into force of the IMO Convention.

“The Transitional Measures demonstrate that the shipping industry is playing its full part. It is disappointing that after six years the Hong Kong Convention has still only been ratified by a handful of IMO Member States,” added Mr Hinchliffe.

He concluded: “Governments need to make this a far more urgent priority if they are serious about improving conditions in ship recycling yards on a global basis.”