The recent edition of INTERTANKO News says that following two years of work on the issue of enhanced environmental and safety conditions in ship recycling yards, the shipping industry this week launched the first edition of the 'Industry Code of Practice on Ship Recycling'. Developed jointly by INTERTANKO, ICS, OCIMF, INTERCARGO, ITOPF,ITF and BIMCO together with observers from ECSA and IACS, the Code is heralded as a major step in responding to the concerns about safety and environmental practices in some of the world's ship recycling facilities.
The Code of Practice, combined with the Inventory of Hazardous Materials, will act as a foundation for improving both environmental and health
conditions in many of the developing countries' recycling yards. Stressing the importance of involving all the stakeholders in the
ship recycling industry and not just the ship owners, the Code of Practice should lead the way for other sectors to develop similar guidelines in order to provide a holistic solution to the problem.
The associations responsible for the development of the Code will also be submitting it to the IMO for further information and guidance and also other United Nation agencies involved in the issue. - (Source: Intertanko)