EU Launches Consultation on Ship Recycling Facilities
The European Commission has initiated a consultation regarding the 15th update of the European List of ship recycling facilities. This move comes amid growing concerns over environmental standards and safety practices in ship recycling. The NGO Shipbreaking Platform has called for the removal of Turkish ship recycling facilities that employ the controversial landing method and has urged the exclusion of Indian ‘beaching’ yards from the list. The organization also advocates for enhanced capacity development aligned with circular economy and decarbonization goals.
A significant development in this consultation is the removal of the Dörtel ship recycling yard in Aliağa, Turkey. An inspection by the Commission revealed that the facility was dismantling ships while partially submerged, lacking essential infrastructure such as an impermeable floor and a slag collector. These deficiencies pose a high risk of seawater contamination, violating key requirements for hazardous waste management. While the removal of Dörtel is a positive step, the NGO Shipbreaking Platform deems it insufficient, highlighting ongoing safety issues in Turkish yards.
Ingvild Jenssen, Director of the NGO Shipbreaking Platform, emphasized the double standards created by approving yards in third countries that would not meet EU operational standards. This situation undermines efforts to promote sustainable practices globally. Tragically, dangerous conditions persist in Turkish yards, exemplified by a recent incident where a worker was killed at the EU-approved Temurtaşlar yard when tons of ship scrap fell on him.
Concerns Over Indian Ship Recycling Practices
The European Commission’s recent audit of Indian ship recycling yards has not resulted in any facilities being added to the European list. These yards, which utilize the beaching method—cutting ships on unprotected tidal mudflats—do not contain pollutants effectively. Beaching is prohibited in the EU and has been banned in countries like China and the UAE. The Indian government has even recognized the need to transition away from beaching in its Maritime India Vision 2030.
The European Shipowners (ESCA) have expressed concerns about the limited capacities of facilities on the EU list, noting that their recycling activities primarily focus on smaller inland vessels. Despite this, Jenssen argues that ship owners should actively participate in building the necessary capacity for sustainable recycling rather than lamenting the exclusion of beaching yards. She suggests that now is the ideal time for collaboration between the shipping, steel, and construction sectors to enhance circularity and ensure adequate dismantling platforms for all vessel types.
While EU facilities primarily recycle smaller vessels, this limitation is attributed to a lack of stable ship inflow rather than technical constraints. The marine cargo sector has reported significant profits, raising questions about the industry’s reluctance to invest in capacity building within the EU. Only a few ship owners, such as Hoegh, Hapag Lloyd, CMA-CGM, and Petrobras, have taken steps toward improving ship recycling practices, while many continue to evade international environmental regulations.
The Commission is urged to lead by example and bolster domestic recycling capacity as many ships approach the end of their operational life. According to the NGO Shipbreaking Platform, enhancing EU recycling capabilities presents a strategic opportunity to secure high-quality secondary scrap for the steel and construction sectors, aligning with EU environmental policies aimed at preventing hazardous material exports. The time has come for the EU to hold its shipping sector accountable and close legal loopholes that allow ship owners to evade responsibility. Member States must decide whether to support the development of green jobs and circular hubs or yield to pressures from ship owners seeking to avoid accountability.
