Scrap Yards' Ocean Vessels Burnished with Rules - Breaking New Ground in Safe, Green Ship Demolition
Regulating Disassembly Process – Stricter Guidelines Implemented in Ship Demolishing Industry - Navigating Regulations in Ship Dismantling: Fresh Guidelines for Shipping Industry Recycling
Here's a lowdown on the ocean liners' demolition scene, revamped with fresh standards and regulations. The Hong Kong Convention, a beacon in international maritime industry, is now in effect, aiming to safeguard workers and our oceans. This milestone follows years of diplomatic talks. "It's a giant leap forward," asserts Anja Binkofski, a postgraduate at Germany's Maritime Museum in Bremerhaven. Tonight, the maritime sector and academia will gather in Bremerhaven to celebrate this revolution with a national ceremony.
So, what does the Hong Kong Convention encompass?
The Hong Kong Convention by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) was signed in 2009. It took several years for enough nations to endorse the regulation, finally entering into force 16 years later.
According to the convention, vessels must carry a hazardous materials passport. This document details all materials used during construction or transported onboard that are labeled as hazardous. "It's crucial to know what materials are aboard and what's still on board once the ship is dismantled," explains Binkofski. This information helps recycling facilities prepare and manage hazardous materials safely.
In the future, shipyards must also receive certification. "This pledges them to maintaining a standard of occupational and environmental safety," says the researcher. Prior authorization will be required for ships to be recycled, and this document outlines materials used, their locations within the ship, and recycling procedures.
Unregulated Wreckage Tides in South Asia
The Convention sets an international standard, bolstering European Union yards currently competing against unregulated, low-cost recycling facilities primarily in South Asia (Pakistan, Bangladesh, and India).
Last year, 409 ocean-going merchant vessels were sold to ship dismantling yards, according to the non-profit organization "Shipbreaking Platform." A mere 25 ships were dismantled within the European Union. The lion's share – 255 ships – was salvaged on South Asian beaches, where unskilled workers labor without safety equipment. Annually, gas leaks, falls, and falling debris cause fatalities and injuries; 2020 recorded nine fatalities and 45 injuries, according to the organization's data.
The environmental repercussions of this practice are disastrous. "Ships contain an enormous quantity of toxic materials, such as asbestos, hazardous substances in cables, or paint chips," says Binkofski. When ships are simply dismantled on beaches, these hazardous materials are uncontrollably released, often washing ashore or into the water.
The Future of Ship Demolition - Challenges and Opportunities
The newly implemented regulations are a departure from the 2009 blueprint and should be updated urgently, demands Binkofski. She argues that beach recycling should cease to exist, as it's economically infeasible for shipyards to build dry docks. However, the effectiveness of the Hong Kong Convention remains uncertain, as it hinges on industry compliance.
The maritime economy in Northern Germany may profit from this change, if Bremerhaven's predictions hold true. Emden, an East Frisian port city, will soon be home to the first ships recycled domestically, with more shipyards to follow. "At first, it'll likely involve smaller vessels," Binkofski states. As time passes, container ships could also be demolished in Germany, bolstering local industry.
When ships are recycled in Germany, materials stay within the region and could be used in other sectors, such as the automotive industry or shipbuilding. As the global fleet ages, countless ships will require recycling in the coming years, according to Binkofski. Therefore, "a two-pronged approach is necessary: on one hand, more shipyards in the European Union need to specialize in ship recycling, and on the other hand, conditions in Southeast Asia need to improve further."
Data from NGO Shipbreaking Platform:
- Ocean-going merchant vessels
- South Asia
- Bremerhaven
- EU
- Environment
- The Hong Kong Convention, a global initiative by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), aims to curb the environmental-science and occupational hazards associated with the ship demolition industry, particularly in South Asia, by setting stringent standards for the maritime industry, employment policy, and environmental-science.
- As the first European shipyards, including those in Bremerhaven, Emden, and potentially other EU cities, transition towards adhering to the new environmental-science and employment policy standards established by the Hong Kong Convention, a shift in the finance sector may occur, potentially boosting local economies and employment opportunities in industrial sectors like shipbuilding and the automotive industry.
