German Bundestag supports sustainable ship recycling

The German Bundestag paved the way for the German ratification of the convention with the unanimous adoption of the draft law on the Ship Recycling Convention of the IMO and takes a stand for safe and environmentally sound recycling of ships.

Since the 1970s, ship breaking has shifted from Europe to Asia. Shipyards in Europe had become too small for large sea-going vessels and an expensive work force as well as strict environmental provisions gradually drove up the costs.

In Asia ships are broken down on beaches instead of in shipyards. The work and wage conditions as well as the pollution by these ship breaking places has long been criticised internationally. With the Hong Kong Convention 2009, the IMO has created requirements and regulations for safe and environmentally sound recycling of ships.

The Convention does not apply to ships under a gross tonnage of 500 and ships that have solely been deployed on national voyages. However, these ships should also be recycled in a sustainable way and with consideration for the environment.

Both the EU Ship Recycling Regulation (EU SRR) and the German law for the ratification of the Convention are supposed to raise awareness of the topic with other flag states so that they might join the Convention. The Convention will only come into force once at least 15 parties with a total of 40% of the world gross tonnage and at least 3% of the annual global total tonnage of recycled ships have ratified the Convention.

The Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure has entrusted the Ship Safety Division of the BG Verkehr and the Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency (BSH) with the enforcement of the Convention in Germany and on ships flying the German flag.

In the future, the Ship Safety Division will issue a document that certifies that an Inventory of Hazardous Materials exists and complies with IMO requirements. The Inventory lists all hazardous materials contained in the ship's structure or equipment, their location and approximate quantities. The inventory must be kept up-to-date throughout the whole operational life of the ship.

Prior to the voyage to the ship recycling facility, the Ship Safety Division conducts a final survey and declares the ship clear for recycling. During port state control inspections, the ship will also be checked for compliance with the Convention.

The BSH will be the competent authority for the authorisation of national ship recycling facilities. Prior to the recycling of a ship, the agency approves the Ship Recycling Plan of the recycling facility.