MEMBERS attending the Global Shipowners' meeting that was coordinated by the Asian Shipowners' Association (ASA) and attended by BIMCO, ECSA, ICS and INTERTANKO have reaffirmed their commitment to the Hong Kong Convention and supported the need for a global solution for environmentally sustainable ship recycling.
The attendees met in Hong Kong to consider next steps to bring the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally-Sound Recycling of Ships, 2009 (HKC) into effect.
Noting the expected increase in demand for ship recycling in 2018, particularly in the tanker sector, and after reviewing the increasing need to expand the number of Hong Kong Convention compliant ship recycling facilities around the world, it was agreed at the joint industry meeting that the entry into force of the HKC was critical.
'To be able to bring the HKC into force, however, it is essential that the ship recycling states commit to improving the standards of ship recycling and ratify the HKC. In this regard, the participating associations would encourage member associations to approach their respective governments to hasten the process of ratification of HKC,' a joint statement said.
'The association also would encourage national associations to request their respective governments to include ratification of the HKC as an agenda item when having an opportunity to talk with officials of the ship recycling states.
'In addition, they would encourage all ship recycling states to ratify the HKC and persuade IMO and its member states to establish a team for early enactment of the HKC under IMO which would act as a focal point for activities of the concerned stakeholders including governments, recyclers, workers, shipowners and observer organisations.'
The participating associations also reviewed the status in Europe of the European Union Ship Recycling Regulation (EUSRR) and the EU List of Recycling Facilities. It was noted that there is expected to be a lack of facilities on the EU List when the regulation is implemented on December 31.
They also pointed out that until now no non-EU ship recycling yard has been included in the EU list. In this respect, the shipowners' associations are urging the European Commission to increase the recycling capacity on the EU List with the inclusion of facilities outside of Europe.
The attendees met in Hong Kong to consider next steps to bring the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally-Sound Recycling of Ships, 2009 (HKC) into effect.
Noting the expected increase in demand for ship recycling in 2018, particularly in the tanker sector, and after reviewing the increasing need to expand the number of Hong Kong Convention compliant ship recycling facilities around the world, it was agreed at the joint industry meeting that the entry into force of the HKC was critical.
'To be able to bring the HKC into force, however, it is essential that the ship recycling states commit to improving the standards of ship recycling and ratify the HKC. In this regard, the participating associations would encourage member associations to approach their respective governments to hasten the process of ratification of HKC,' a joint statement said.
'The association also would encourage national associations to request their respective governments to include ratification of the HKC as an agenda item when having an opportunity to talk with officials of the ship recycling states.
'In addition, they would encourage all ship recycling states to ratify the HKC and persuade IMO and its member states to establish a team for early enactment of the HKC under IMO which would act as a focal point for activities of the concerned stakeholders including governments, recyclers, workers, shipowners and observer organisations.'
The participating associations also reviewed the status in Europe of the European Union Ship Recycling Regulation (EUSRR) and the EU List of Recycling Facilities. It was noted that there is expected to be a lack of facilities on the EU List when the regulation is implemented on December 31.
They also pointed out that until now no non-EU ship recycling yard has been included in the EU list. In this respect, the shipowners' associations are urging the European Commission to increase the recycling capacity on the EU List with the inclusion of facilities outside of Europe.