Further Resources

Environmentally sound dismantling of ships

Environmentally sound dismantling of ships

Environmentally sound dismantling of ships

Ship dismantling, also commonly referred to as ship “recycling”, is an inherently sustainable activity, the benefits of which are felt at the global level. As the term ship “recycling” implies, value is derived from the materials and equipment comprising end of life ships: the scrap steel is melted down and is commonly used in the construction industries of ship recycling countries, and equipment (engines, mechanical parts or furniture) is refurbished and reused in other industries.

The industry is based predominantly in South Asia (in India, Bangladesh and Pakistan), which according to 2010 statistics, occupies approximately 70% of the global ship recycling market. Significant recycling activity also takes place in China (19%), with Turkey and other countries occupying the remaining 10% of the market. Beaching is the predominant method of ship recycling in the South Asian Region, whilst China and some other countries employ an alternative method known as pier breaking.

The past decade has seen a substantial variation in the level of activity in the industry. The supply of ships for recycling is subject to large variations as a consequence of the global demand for seaborne transport. From 2004 to 2008, the high demand for maritime transportation resulted in a record low number of ships being sold for recycling (only between 200 to 400 ships per annum, whereas the historical average is between 700 to 800 ships).

However, with the global economic recession in recent years, the demand for maritime transportation has declined. As a result, recycling activity peaked in 2009, with some 1200 ships being sent for recycling. Figures available until September 2010 indicate that high levels of recycling activity are set to continue.

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The Global Programme for Sustainable Ship Recycling

The Global Programme for Sustainable Ship Recycling

The Global Programme for Sustainable Ship Recycling

The Global Programme for Sustainable Ship Recycling was created in 2007 to facilitate improvements in worker health and safety and environmental conditions in ship recycling countries in the South Asia region. The Programme concept has been developed in close consultation with two other international organisations with an interest and expertise in ship recycling: the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the International Labour Organisation (ILO). The Secretariat of the Basel Convention seeks to work with all ship recycling stakeholders to ensure the future sustainability of the industry.

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Meeting Documents of the ILO IMO BC Working Group - Second Session (December 2005)

 
SymbolTitleSubmited byEnglish
Items: 15   
ILO/IMO/BC/WG.2/1Provisional agendaSecretariat185 K 127.28 K
ILO/IMO/BC/WG.2/1/1Annotations and provisional timetableSecretariat225.5 K
ILO/IMO/BC/WG.2/4Work programme of the Marine Environment Protection Committee on the issue of ship recyclingIMO Secretariat190 K
ILO/IMO/BC/WG.2/4/1Work programme of the International Labour Office on the issue of shipbreakingILO Secretariat182.5 K
ILO/IMO/BC/WG.2/4/2Work programme of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the issue of ship dismantlingSecretariat188 K
ILO/IMO/BC/WG.2/5Promotion of the implementation of the guidelines on ship scrapping: outcome of MEPC 53IMO Secretariat181.5 K
ILO/IMO/BC/WG.2/6Examination of the relevant IMO, ILO and BC Guidelines on ship scrapping: findings of the comparison of the three sets of guidelines undertaken by an informal intersessional working groupInformal Intersessional Working Group268 K
ILO/IMO/BC/WG.2/7Joint technical cooperation activities: IMO technical cooperation activities on ship recyclingIMO Secretariat179.5 K
ILO/IMO/BC/WG.2/8Environmentally sound management: note by the United Kingdom as WEOG representative for the Basel Convention to the Joint Working GroupUnited Kingdom242 K
ILO/IMO/BC/WG.2/8/1Coordinated approach to all the relevant aspects of ship scrapping - Abandonment of Ships on Land or in Ports: Information received in response to the questionnaire issued pursuant to decision OEWG-IV/6 adopted by the fourth session of the Open-ended Working Group of the Basel ConventionSecretariat401 K
ILO/IMO/BC/WG.2/8/2Prior informed consentSecretariat252 K
ILO/IMO/BC/WG.2/8/3Coordinated approach to all the relevant aspects of ship scrapping - Practical approaches that promote occupational health and safety and environmentally sound management of ship scrapping: Comments, recommended solutions and views received pursuant to decision OEWG-IV/5 adopted by the fourth session of the Open-ended Working Group of the Basel ConventionSecretariat219 K
ILO/IMO/BC/WG.2/11Report of the Joint Working Group 438.5 K 376.06 K
ILO/IMO/BC/WG.2/11/Corr.1Report of the Joint Working Group (Corrigendum) 191.5 K 26.51 K
ILO/IMO/BC/WG.2/INF/1Work programme of the Marine Environment Protection Committee on the issue of ship recycling: Proposal for a new legally-binding instrument on recycling of shipsIMO Secretariat280 K