EU Ship Recycling Regulations Deadline Approaching

New European ship recycling regulations enter into force at the end of the year, but many shipowners have yet to comply. 

The EU Ship Recycling Regulation (EUsRR) stipulates that all ships over 500 GRT which call at EU ports must have a Statement of Compliance (SoC) demonstrating that they have an Inventory of Hazardous Materials (IHM) on board.  

Current difficult market conditions, compounded by delays caused by the work-from-home situation due to the coronavirus pandemic, has meant many are still to undertake the necessary work to enter compliance. Current estimates indicate that, of the expected 20,000 ships which will need to comply with the regulation before December 31, 2020, more than a third have yet to begin on the road to compliance.

Obtaining an IHM for a vessel requires an expert company to sample the ship for hazardous materials. A “mini-industry” of individuals and small expert companies has emerged, offering IHM services.

Centre Testing International (CTI), an expert company in the supervision of ship recycling, specialises in surveying and removing asbestos from ships, as well as assisting shipowners with IHM preparation.

CTI has over the years undertaken numerous projects for several major shipowners such as CMA CGM, Euronav, Maersk Line, Maersk Drilling, Pioneer Marine and Stolt Tankers.

For CMA CGM, for example, CTI provided a ‘one-stop shop’, carrying out a full range of essential services, including newbuilding surveys, targeted sampling during docking periods, removal of asbestos, IHM preparation, ship recycling supervision and asbestos management audits of suppliers.