Indian yards have been included in the European Commission’s latest list of approved ship recycling facilities for the first time.
The proposed 16th edition of the European List of Ship Recycling Facilities, which is out for consultation until 30 August, includes YSI Recyclers and Shree Ram Vessel Scrap/Shree Ram Shipping Industries.
Both are in Alang, Gujurat where yards have previously been condemned for operating with non-environmental practices and disregard for health and safety.
WSC welcome
The proposed inclusion of the two Indian yards has been welcomed by the World Shipping Council (WSC), saying it marked ‘an important step towards a ship recycling framework that focuses on what matters most: demonstrated environmental performance, worker safety, technical competence and effective governance’.
The WSC adds: ‘The inclusion of additional facilities that have successfully met the EU’s rigorous requirements reinforces the principle that ship recycling decisions should be based on proven standards and performance, rather than geographic location alone.’
Investment
Simon Bergulf, vp, environment and climate at the WSC, says the yards have invested heavily to address European Commission requirements for meeting the EU’s stringent standards.
‘Their inclusion would mark an important milestone, showing that one of the world’s principal ship recycling regions can successfully comply with the requirements of the EU Ship Recycling Regulation. We hope these facilities will act as trailblazers, encouraging other yards in the region to follow the same path.’
In June, WSC published a joint study with the International Chamber of Shipping arguing the inclusion of compliant non-OECD yards on the European List should be a priority for the European Union.
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