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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The Global Programme for Sustainable Ship Recycling

In 2006, a feasibility study was conducted by the Secretariat of the Basel Convention to determine effective measures to promote the implementation of the organisation’s Technical Guidelines for the Environmentally Sound Management of the Full and Partial Dismantling of Ships.

In conjunction with this study, the Technical Guidelines were translated into the languages of the main ship recycling countries: Hindi, Urdu and Bengali. The Government of Turkey also arranged for a translation of the Guidelines to be made available in Turkish.

Following the study, a broader project concept was drafted, in collaboration with the Secretariats of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the International Labour Organization (ILO), to promote a coordinated approach in addressing the issues faced by the ship recycling industry. The concept document for the "Global Programme for Sustainable Ship Recycling" identifies the following project objectives:
 

  • To promote the sustainability of the ship recycling industry by enhancing the application of internationally recognized standards relating to occupational safety and health (OSH) and environmental protection;
  • To promote effective implementation of the future Convention for the “Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships” being negotiated under the auspices of the IMO, by building upon existing technical assistance activities promoting the guidelines of the IMO, ILO and Basel Convention, and elements of the new Convention (as developed);
  • To promote an integrated approach to the ship recycling industry, by addressing infrastructural and other needs in the participant countries in and beyond the ship recycling yards.

Discussions on the Global Programme for Sustainable Ship Recycling

Initial discussions on the Programme concept were held with a wide array of stakeholders in Dhaka, Bangladesh in January 2008. The documentation from this meeting is available via the following links:

Meeting documents

Meeting agenda 

List of participants 

Meeting Report