European shipowners can now streamline their vessel recycling process thanks to new administrative guidelines from the European Commission. The updated formats for certificates will simplify the documentation required to list hazardous materials onboard and confirm that a ship is ready for recycling. This change is designed to ease compliance with both the EU’s Ship Recycling Regulation and the Hong Kong Convention, allowing owners to meet their obligations with a single certificate and reducing bureaucratic hurdles without compromising regulatory standards.
Currently, European ship owners operate approximately 30% of the global fleet. However, many ships undergo dismantling outside the EU, particularly in South Asia, under conditions often detrimental to workers’ health and the environment. The EU’s Ship Recycling Regulation, implemented in 2013, aims to create a legal framework for recycling large vessels registered in EU Member States, including criteria for ships and recycling facilities, as well as restrictions on hazardous materials like asbestos.
The Hong Kong Convention, set to take effect in June 2025, introduces international guidelines for safe and environmentally sound ship recycling, although its standards may not be as stringent as those in the EU Regulation. The European Commission will engage in evaluating the Convention’s implementation to advocate for the enhancement of global recycling standards.
