European ships must be recycled only in ship-breaking facilities that are safe for workers and environmentally sound, according to new rules proposed today by the European Commission.

Ship recycling workers in Chittagong, Bangladesh. [Environment News Service]

More than 1,000 large old commercial ships, such as tankers and container vessels, are recycled for their scrap metal every year, but many European ships are broken by hand in substandard facilities on the tidal beaches of South Asia.

These facilities lack the environmental protection and safety measures needed to manage end-of-life ships that contain hazardous materials, such as asbestos, polychlorinated biphenyls, tributyl tin and oil sludge. High accident rates, health risks for workers and extensive environmental pollution are the results.

European Environment Commissioner Janez Potocnik presented the regulation jointly with Vice President Siim Kallas, Commissioner for Transport.

"Although the ship recycling sector has improved its practices, many facilities continue to operate under conditions that are dangerous and damaging," Commissioner Potocnik said. "This proposal aims to ensure that our old ships are recycled in a way that respects the health of workers as well as the environment. It is a clear signal to invest urgently in upgrading recycling facilities."

The new rules allow, under strict conditions, the recycling of EU-flagged ships in countries that are not members of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. The 34 members of the OECD include many of the world's most advanced and also emerging countries, but do not include the countries of South Asia.

The new rules adopt the system of survey, certification and authorization required by the Hong Kong Convention, an international treaty for the safe and environmentally sound recycling of ships adopted in 2009.

The Commission aims to implement the Hong Kong Convention quickly, without waiting for its ratification and entry into force, a process which will take several years.

The Hong Kong Convention must be ratified by at least 15 major flag and recycling countries to enter into force. These countries should represent at least 40 percent of the world fleet and almost 50 percent of the recycling capacity available worldwide.

To speed its formal entry into force, the Commission also presented today a draft decision requiring the 27 EU Member States to ratify the Convention.

Under the new rules, European ships must draw up an inventory of the hazardous materials present on board, and apply for an inventory certificate. In addition, the amount of hazardous waste on board, including cargo residues and fuel oil, must be reduced before the ship is delivered to a recycling facility.

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