Brussels, 23 March ( EFE).- The European Commission (EC) proposed today allow the recycling of large ships European in developing countries, instead of forcing them to use only scrapyards that meet some European standards with respect to the medium environment and human health.
“European vessels can disassemble in facilities suitable for the environment and safe, which may be anywhere in the world, but that must have an authorization”, pointed out in a press conference the European Commissioner for environment environment, Janez Potocnik.
Despite that current legislation prohibits EU flag vessels are sent to countries that do not belong to the Organization for cooperation and economic development (OECD) for recycling, this was the fate of 90% of large European ships in 2009.
“Happens, despite the fact that it is illegal”, acknowledged Potocnik, “there is something that is wrong”.
The problem, according to EU sources, is that just recycling facilities exist for vessels of great size within the European Union (EU) and the OECD; the major points of recycling of ships in the world are in India – just where much of European ships-, China and Bangladesh.
Against criticisms that aim to eliminate the ban on exports of ships for recycling is a setback, Potocnik said that “it is a step backwards, to give three forward”.
“what we have is this geographic ban and the result is that 90% of European vessels traded and recycled in an inhumane manner, those are the facts.” “If someone thinks that it is working, it is not”, said.
The above sources pointed out that the objective of the EC is to provide a way to recycle the ships legally, that there are sustainable facilities but outside the OECD.
Two of the EU’s largest facilities are in United Kingdom (Able) and Italy (Simont) accommodating much smaller than their Asian competitors, while in Spain no exists.
To do so, the European Executive proposes to create a “European list” of scrapyards which comply with requirements to ensure sustainable recycling of ships and the protection of the health of the workers of the plant.
European ships may only be treated in facilities that are part of the list and those who do illegally can face economic sanctions.
Recycling standards are based on the Hong Kong International Convention for the safe and environmentally sound recycling of ships (which was adopted in 2009, but that has not yet entered into force for not having been ratified by countries), although “stricter”, according to Potocnik.
Between them, prohibiting the use of certain hazardous materials both during the construction as the dismantling of the ship, these should have an inventory of these types of materials that have on board. Only European ships recycling produces 80,360 tonnes of hazardous waste per year, according to EU data.
It will also force that each ship has an own recycling plan and will seek to avoid the change of flag of the ship to evade the European law on recycling, extending the responsibility of the former owner during a period.
In addition, the EC has presented today a decision in which urges the Member States to accelerate ratification of the Convention in Hong Kong.
New standards, which were enacted in the form of regulation, will be now discussed in the Council and the European Parliament. EFE
