Turkey has introduced new ship recycling regulations focusing on safety, environmental standards, and compliance for recycling facilities.
New rules for ship recycling facilities operating in Turkey have been published in the Official Gazette. The authorization, inspection, environmental, and occupational safety conditions for the facilities, as well as the penalties to be applied in case of violations, have been reorganized.
With the new regulation, it is emphasized that ship recycling facilities must operate safely and in an environmentally friendly manner under the Hong Kong International Convention.
REQUIREMENT FOR AUTHORIZATION CERTIFICATE FOR FACILITIES
Facilities that will carry out ship recycling activities will be required to obtain an authorization certificate from the Ministry. This certificate will be valid for a maximum of 5 years. The facilities will prepare a ship-specific recycling plan and a facility recycling plan, and will carry out their activities in accordance with these plans.
ENVIRONMENTAL AND OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY MEASURES WILL BE INCREASED
It will be necessary to manage hazardous materials and waste in a way that does not harm the environment at the facilities. Emergency plans, fire equipment, personal protective equipment, camera systems, entry-exit records, and measures to prevent marine pollution will be mandatory.
INSPECTIONS CAN BE CONDUCTED UNANNOUNCED
The Ministry will be able to inspect the facilities either planned or unannounced. In the inspections carried out by the Inspection, Detection, and Audit Commission, it will be examined whether the facility operates in compliance with the regulation, contract, and guidelines. If deficiencies are not remedied, the authorization certificate may be suspended or revoked.
FINES OF UP TO 1 MILLION TL FOR VIOLATIONS
Facilities that act contrary to the regulation will be subject to administrative fines ranging from 100,000 TL to 1 million TL. Unauthorized ship recycling, starting operations without notification, retaining documents during inspections, or conducting unauthorized work in suspended operations will be among the severe penalties. The Ship Recycling Regulation dated 2004 has been repealed.
Source: SeaNews Türkiye
