News

IMO needs to make mandatory rules on shipbreaking

In July 2003 the IMO will discuss the responsibility of shipowners for their End of Life vessels. Greenpeace calls for mandatory rules for the delivery of clean ships for scrap and on environmentally safe scrapping of ships, and urges the shipping community to accept the requirements of the Basel Convention to remove hazardous waste and materials prior to the final voyage of a ship.

Greenpeace recognises that the guidance offered in the voluntary Industry Code of Practice (MEPC 47/3/2) and the draft IMO Guidelines on Ship Recycling (MEPC 49/3/1) is of value. However, Greenpeace remains concerned that neither of these documents are adequate to protect workers or the environment. This concern occurs in part because neither text contains effective mechanisms to monitor or ensure compliance. A further issue of major concern is that neither text provides adequate guidance for companies, courts and governments on how they should deal with the export of ships for scrapping in a manner which is fully consistent with other existing international commitments.

Read the comments by Greenpeace on the draft IMO Guidelines in Ship Recycling:

· Selected cases of decommissioning of vessels indicating the need for mandatory requirements (Submission 9 May 2003)
· Compliance with the Basel Convention (Submission 23 May 2003)