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European commission

There are three UN bodies who share responsibility for the breaking of ships and all have guidelines for shipbreaking. They are:
1. Basel Convention (BC), 1992
2. International Maritime Organization (IMO), 2003
3. International Labour Organization (ILO), 2003

1. Basel Convention (BC)

In 2002, the BC adopted Technical Guidelines for the Environmentally Sound Management (ESM) of the Full and Partial Dismantling of Ships, a document directed at countries which already have or are establishing facilities involved in ship dismantling.

The Guidelines provide information and recommendations on procedures, processes and practices that must be implemented to attain ESM for ship dismantling. The Guidelines also provide advice on monitoring and verification on environment performance.

Specifically, the BC ship dismantling Guidelines provide guidance on:

• The process of ship decommissioning for disposal and identification of potential contaminants and prevention of releases;
• Suggested good practice in the design, construction and operation of ship dismantling facilities and;
• The principles of ESM and how to achieve it in ship dismantling facilities, including a recommended timetable of requirements to be implemented within one, five, and 10 years.

2. International Maritime Organization (IMO)

In December 2003, the IMO issued a document entitled Guidelines on Ship Recycling. Developed as best practice guidelines and to give advice to all stakeholders in the recycling process, including administrators of shipbuilding and maritime equipment, supplying countries, flag, and port and recycling states, as well as inter governmental organizations and commercial bodies such as ship-owners, repairers and recycling yards.

The Guidelines suggest practical measures for all stages of the ship recycling process including:

• New ship and equipment design, in particular to minimize the use to hazardous substances and waste generation as well as to facilitate recycling and the removal of hazardous materials;
• Preparation of a Green Passport for new and existing ships;
• Selection of a recycling facility and preparation of a ship for recycling including a ship Recycling Plan and;
• Roles for primary stakeholders including flag, port and recycling states, the Basel Convention, the ILO and the shipping industry.

The Guidelines seek to encourage recycling as the best means of ship disposal while providing guidance in preparing ships for recycling. In general, the Guidelines take the view that the responsibility for environment and worker protection in ship recycling facilities must rest with the recycling facility itself and with the regulatory authorities of the country in which it operates. Nevertheless, it is noted that ship owners and other stakeholders also have a responsibility to address the issues involved.

3. International Labour Organization (ILO)

The ILO unanimously endorsed for publication by the Governing Body at its 289th session (March 2004) a set of criteria to govern the disposal and recycling of ships. The criteria is outlined in Safety and Health in Shipbreaking: Guidelines for Asian Countries and Turkey, a document directed at those who have responsibility for occupational safety and health in shipbreaking operations, including shipbreaking employers, workers, and authorities.

The Guidelines were drafted to contribute to:

• The protection of shipbreaking workers from workplace hazards and the elimination of work-related injuries, diseases and deaths.
• Assisting and facilitating the improved management of occupational safety and health issues in the workplace.

The ILO Guidelines are not legally binding, nor are they intended to replace national laws, regulations or accepted standards. They are intended as guidance in establishing effective national systems, procedures, and regulations to govern shipbreaking, particularly in those regions where such regulations are under development or are nonexistent.

The Guidelines suggest a national framework defining the general responsibilities and rights for employers, workers and regulatory authorities in shipbreaking. In addition, the Guidelines provide recommendations on safe shipbreaking operations including the management of hazardous substances, protection and preventative measures for workers against hazards and suggestions for a competency based training program.

The ILO approach is to facilitate step-by-step improvements to the practice of dismantling ships on beaches. The Guidelines suggest that this can be achieved by:

• Ensuring there is an inventory of hazardous materials on board;
• Decontamination and gas-freeing;
• Planning for safe demolition;
• Recycling and;
• Safe waste management.

The guidelines are available on the ILO website. Click here for pdf version.