Sustainable Ship Recycling: Promoting Environmentally Friendly Practices.

Ship recycling is the process of dismantling, disposing, and reusing parts of a vessel that is no longer in use. It is a complex and highly regulated process, encompassing everything from the safe removal of hazardous materials to the reuse of valuable components, and helps to reduce waste and prevent pollutants from entering the environment. The process of ship recycling is essential for providing a sustainable and efficient way to recycle vessels that have outlived their usefulness. Therefore, it is increasingly important for us to find ways to reduce our environmental impact and to use resources more efficiently. One of the most effective ways to do this is through sustainable ship recycling. Sustainable ship recycling faces several challenges that need to be addressed to ensure environmentally friendly practices. One of the major challenges is the lack of regulation and oversight in the industry.
 
Ship recycling is regulated by international conventions, such as the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships (HKC), the European Union Ship Recycling Regulation (EU SRR), and the Basel Convention, as well as national laws. These conventions and laws exist to ensure that ships are recycled in a safe and responsible manner. The process of ship recycling must follow international standards and guidelines and is closely monitored to ensure compliance. The regulations include the assessment of a ship’s condition, identification of hazardous materials, development of individual recycling plans, and ensuring that the recycling process is carried out in a safe and responsible way.

The process typically begins with the removal of hazardous materials, such as batteries, fuel oil, lubricants, PCBs, and asbestos (any hazardous material listed in IHM Part-I, II & III). These materials must be safely stored and disposed of in accordance with international regulations. Once all the hazardous materials are removed, the vessel is ready for cutting. The vessel is usually cut into large pieces, which can then be broken down further into smaller components. These components are then sorted and recycled, with valuable materials such as steel and copper being reused, and any hazardous materials properly disposed of. For ship recycling to be truly sustainable, it must be integrated into the entire life cycle of ships. This includes the design, construction, and decommissioning stages. The design phase should consider how the ship’s components can be recycled and reused, and the construction phase should focus on using materials that are easy to recycle and reuse. Finally, the decommissioning phase should ensure that the ship is recycled in a safe and environmentally friendly manner.

Most of the ship recycling takes place in developing nations, where regulations and enforcement are often lax. Lack of regulation can lead to poor working conditions, pollution, and unsafe handling of hazardous substances. To combat this situation, financial incentive schemes are being planned at the international level for nations to improve the condition of their recycling yards. Even developing countries are beginning to inculcate processes that encourage environmentally friendly ship recycling by being under a Statement of Compliance (SOC) with the Hong Kong Convention (HKC). Green ship recycling processes help identify, store, and safely dispose of ship parts that are hazardous to both humans and marine life. With the methodical dismantling of the vessel reusable components are more carefully protected through consistent and environmentally friendly technologies. The steel, along with other metals present onboard the vessel, is processed into bars for the construction industry using green steel technology. Green steel technology uses green hydrogen in the furnace instead of fossil fuels. Green hydrogen is obtained by the electrolysis of water and helps further reduce CO2 emissions during the forging process. Clad steel and stainless-steel plates are pressed and reused for new shipbuilding and several industrial purposes. Similarly, small SS tanks, valves, and pipes are reused. The generators and batteries that were part of the ship are reused for various purposes. Proper recycling of onboard hydrocarbons is ensured, and they are converted to petroleum products. Light fittings such as Electronics, electrical components, cabin items, furniture, and lighting equipment are also reused on different ships and on land.

Sustainable ship recycling is essential if we are to ensure a greener future and reduce our environmental impact. By following the rules outlined in the HKC, and EU SRR and encouraging the use of sustainable materials, Ship recycling is an important part of the maritime industry and plays a vital role in helping to reduce waste and pollution. By following adequate IHM procedures before recycling ships, we can save resources and reduce the environmental impact of disposing of vessels that are no longer in use. Ship recycling also provides employment opportunities in the form of recycling jobs, which can help to create a positive environmental and social impact.

Overall, ship recycling is an essential component of the maritime industry and an essential part of sustainable development. By following proper safety regulations and guidelines, we can ensure that ships are recycled in a safe and responsible manner, providing a sustainable way to recycling of vessels that have outlived their usefulness. Back to all Verifavia Shipping News