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Thomas Ormond European Commission DG Environment, Unit G.4

Preparatory Discussions on Promoting Ship Recycling through the Global Programme Dhaka, 13 January 2008 Developments in Europe: The European Commission’s Green Paper on better ship recycling Thomas Ormond European Commission DG Environment, Unit G.4 Structure of the presentation

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Thomas Ormond European Commission DG Environment, Unit G.4

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  1. Preparatory Discussions on Promoting Ship Recyclingthrough the Global ProgrammeDhaka, 13 January 2008Developments in Europe:The European Commission’s Green Paper on better ship recycling Thomas Ormond European Commission DG Environment, Unit G.4

  2. Structure of the presentation • Background • Problems • Europe’s role • Draft Ship Recycling Convention • Towards an EU strategy • Short- and medium-term measures • Long-term measures

  3. Background • 1980s Cases of hazardous waste from Europe being dumped in developing countries • 1989 Basel Convention – to control transboundary waste movements • 1995 Basel Ban Amendment – to prohibit exports of hazardous waste from OECD to non-OECD countries. Transposed in the EU by the Waste Shipment Regulation (currently Reg. 1013/2006). --------------------------------------------- • 1980s/90s Ship dismantling industry moves to developing countries. • Since 1990s Reports about environmental and safety problems of beaching • 2002-2004 Technical Guidelines of Basel Convention / ILO / IMO • Late 2005 IMO decides to develop Ship Recycling Convention.

  4. Problems • Many old ships (built until 1980s) have high quantities of hazardous materials on board.Of special concern: warships, large passenger liners, chemical and oil tankers. • Until 2015 up to 5.5 million tonnes of materials of potential environmental concern could end up in dismantling yards, esp. oil sludge, oils, paints, PVC and asbestos (est. 2004). • Problems with safety and environmental protection in shipbreaking yards:- Gas explosions- Higher accident risk without cranes/dockyard equipment- Toxic fumes- Asbestos- PCB, mercury + other hazardous materials- Lack of containment / impermeable surfaces – pollution of water and soil ... • Different environmental + safety standards – no level playing field worldwide!

  5. Europe’s role • Some EU Member States among top maritime nations. - 25% of worldwide tonnage EU-MS-flagged; - 40% owned by EU-domiciled companies. • Nearly all larger ships from EU are dismantled in South Asia – without pre-cleaning. Several high-profile cases in 2006-7. • Most maritime states have no ship recycling policy. • Nov. 2006: EU Council sees environmentally sound management of ship dismantling as a priority and welcomes Commission’s intention to work towards an EU-wide strategy.

  6. Draft Ship Recycling Convention • Cradle-to-grave approach • Principle: certified ships to authorised yards • Binding regulations, non-binding guidelines • Open questions: scope, non-Parties, verification & compliance, ESM standard, implementation mechanisms • Not covered: state vessels, small ships, domestic shipping? • Will it generate change, when and how?

  7. Towards an EU strategy • Green Paper on better ship dismantling - adopted May 2007, public consultation until Sept. 2007 • Communication from the Commission – planned for second half of 2008 • Studies of 2001, 2004, 2007 – further research planned • Measures after adoption of Ship Recycling Convention (2009-)

  8. Short- and medium-term measures • Implementation of current waste shipment law + ILO, IMO, Basel Convention guidelines • Voluntary action by ship-owners – to be encouraged • Exemplary dismantling of government vessels • Development of guidelines, standards, certificates • Technical assistance for workers’ training, improvement of infrastructure etc in developing countries • Public awareness-raising, transparency • Research on technology, economic/social/environmental impacts

  9. Long-term measures • Implementation of the Ship Recycling Convention:- Prohibition / limitation of hazardous materials on board ships- Surveys and certificates in place worldwide- All ship recycling facilities authorised, safe + environmentally sound • Sustainable worldwide funding system: Implementing the Polluter Pays principle!

  10. More information • http://ec.europa.eu/environment/waste/ships//index.htm • Thomas.Ormond@ec.europa.eu

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