As we are approaching the end of another exciting year for shipping, without a doubt the focus of everyone ahead of 2020 will be on IMO sulphur cap. This issue, along with decarbonization in general, has emerged as a main priority for the sector, with companies trying to find ways to cut their emissions. In this article, we take a look back at 2019, and we identify the key environmental moments that left their mark.
The ship breaking activity in developing countries, such as India, Bangladesh and Pakistan, has been subject to criticism because of the negative impacts the industry has on the environment and workers. Now, a report by the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) in Mumbai found that there has been little improvements in the shipbreaking yards with regards to working conditions. It also presents several breaches of the national legal framework.
Analysis from classification society ABS suggests that vessels up to 15 years of age are likely to be the oldest to install a ballast water management system (BWMS); Thus, William H Burroughs, Senior Principal Engineer, ABS Advisory Services, adds that owners of ships aged 16-20 years and 21 years and above more likely to opt for scrapping.
The High Court of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh declared the import, beaching and breaking of the FPSO North Sea Producer illegal, following the NGO’s Shipbreaking Platform member organisation Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA) Public Interest Litigation against the producer.
Lately the shipping industry has shed its focus on the 2020 sulphur cap, however, other important regulatory updates are expected to become effective from January 1st as well; for instance in the area of ship recycling, the Inventory of Hazardous Materials (IHM) is going to bring changes for which operators need to be aware of for compliance with the requirements of both Hong Kong Convention and EU-Ship Recycling Regulation.
Bureau Veritas Solutions Marine & Offshore urged the shipping industry to adopt higher standards in ship recycling. For this reason, BVS provides insight into the challenges of meeting ship recycling requirements, as well ten tips to achieve compliance.
The Norwegian Maritime Authority charged a Singapore company with NOK 7 million for violating the Pollution and Criminal Code after it attempted to sail the ship Harrier for illegal scrapping. The fine has already been paid since Wirana Shipping CPL had provided financial security for the ship as decided by the Oslo District Court when the ship was to sail from Norway in July 2018.
Two workers lost their lives at a shipbreaking yard in in Bangladesh, on Saturday, October 12. According to local sources, the probable cause of the deaths may have been that they inhaled toxic gas. Dangerous shipbreaking in Bangladesh is a great area of concern for human rights organizations and working unions around the world, over the unsafe working conditions and polluting ship dismantling practices.
The NGO Shipbreaking platform reported that two shipbreaking workers were recently killed at Indian beaching yards. Both yards have applied for recognition under the EU Ship Recycling Regulation.
After a worker lost his life while cutting the ship ‘Ever Union’ at a shipbreaking yard in Bangladesh, on July 23, Evergreen released a press statement expressing sympathy for this loss of life and for any other resulting from an industrial accident. It also disclaimed any responsibility, as the ship had been already in the hands of a buyer who had provided assurances that the breakers yard concerned is a certified Green-Ship Recycling shipyard.
