The environmental hot topics in shipping industry these days are the emissions of ships, the ballast water management and the third one which is the one to be analysed below, is the Hazardous Materials (HazMat) Life Cycle Management and Recycling. Although the Hong Kong Convention is not yet in force as it is known, there is a lot of experience collected from Germanischer Lloyd classification society, in scope of the quality criteria for HazMat Expert parties involved and the HazMat Surveys.
While ship recycling topic suggests the end of life cycle of ships, it is in fact related to the whole life cycle of the ship. Some aspects to be considered in ship recycling are the legislative background, practical experience gained and the risks that stakeholders might face.
There has been an increased focus on the potential existence of asbestos on board new and existing ships. The Dutch Shipping Department of the Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT/Scheepvaart) will be carrying out on-board checks for asbestos in the 3rd/4th quarter of 2012. Since the 1st of July 2002 the new installation or use of asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) on board sea-going vessels has been prohibited under SOLAS regulations II-1/3-5. From 1 January 2011, new installation of ACMs (Asbestos Containing Materials) is prohibited without exception for all sea-going vessels.
The Shipping Department of the Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT/Scheepvaart) will be carrying out on-board checks for compliance with the international SOLAS requirement regarding asbestos. Checks will take place during regular PSC inspections of foreign ships in Dutch ports. These inspections will commence in the 3rd/4th quarter of 2012.
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Officer of the Watch 