Ship recyling convention

General maritime and engineering discussion occurs on this board. Feel free to post newsbits, comments, ask questions about maritime matters and post your opinions.
Post Reply
User avatar
Madzng
Officer of the Watch
Posts: 130
Joined: Sat Jun 14, 2008 10:01 pm
Currently located: London
Contact:

Ship recyling convention

Post by Madzng »

Latest from Lloyds - New ship recycling convention signed in Hong Kong

All ships over 500 gt except warships and government owned vessels and those operating exclusively in domestic waters.

On May 15, 2009, at a Diplomatic Conference in Hong Kong, the International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships was signed by 67 member states of the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

This internationally binding Convention has been adopted due to concerns about standards of ship recycling. It affects both recycling facilities and shipowners.

When will the Convention enter into force?
The Convention will enter into force when it has been ratified by 15 states, representing 40% of the world fleet, and with an annual ship recycling capacity of 3% of that fleet. It is hoped that it will enter into force around 2013 – 2015.

What will the Convention require?
The Convention requires that, within five years of the entry into force date (or before the ship goes for recycling, if that is earlier), ships must have on board an ‘Inventory of Hazardous Materials’ (IHM). This requirement will also apply to newbuilds as soon as the Convention enters into force. The IHM uses the same concept as the previous industry-recommended Green Passport, supplied by Lloyd’s Register.

Ships may only be recycled in authorised facilities in countries which are party to the Convention. Facilities which comply with the Convention will be issued with a ‘Document of Authorisation for Ship Recycling’ by the competent authority of the recycling state.
The facility will prepare a specific ‘Ship Recycling Plan’, based on the IHM which the owner provides. This Plan will be approved by the recycling facility’s national authority (although this may be done on a ‘tacit approval’ basis).

At the Final Survey before the ship is taken out of service, the IHM will be completed for items such as operational stores and bunkers. The approved Ship Recycling Plan will then be checked against the IHM to ensure it properly reflects the information it contains.

Both owners and facilities will have reporting responsibilities. Owners, for example, must inform the flag state before a Final Survey takes place and facilities must tell their authorities should they wish to recycle a ship. Facilities will also have to report when recycling is finished.
Post Reply