Norwegian Minister: "Shipowner should contribute in the removal of hazardous substances before breaking the ship"

In Norway, the vessel Berge Ingerid was sold for scrap in february this year. This provoked a response from the Norwegian Minister of the Environment Børge Brende, stating that the Industry/IMO guidelines on shiprecycling should be binding regulation. With regard to division of responsibilities, the Minister took it one step further and stated that "the shipowner can and should contribute to the removal of hazardous substances before breaking the ship". The Minister also said the shipowner "should contribute to a safe treatment of the remaining hazardous substances in the ship by giving relevant information and by contact with the breaker about the breaking".