Korean Register Takes the Lead: Unveils Comprehensive Circular on UAE Ship Recycling Regulation
The UAE Federal Maritime Administration is taking significant steps to ensure responsible and environmentally friendly ship recycling practices within its jurisdiction. The newly introduced UAE Ship Recycling Regulation (UAE SRR) outlines a comprehensive framework with the following key objectives:
- Incident Prevention and Minimization: The primary goal of the UAE SRR is to regulate all ship recycling operations with the aim of preventing, reducing, and minimizing incidents, injuries, and adverse effects on human health and the environment. This reflects a commitment to fostering safe and sustainable practices within the maritime industry.
- Promotion of Compliant Capacity: The regulation seeks to encourage the growth of compliant ship recycling capacity. By doing so, it supports the development of facilities that adhere to strict environmental and safety standards, contributing to the overall improvement of the ship recycling sector.
- Prohibition of Beaching and Landing: A significant aspect of the UAE SRR is the explicit prohibition of beaching and landing for ship recycling activities. This restriction specifically targets operations conducted on the intertidal zone or beaches, where ships are grounded without impermeable flooring and drainage arrangements. This measure aims to prevent environmental contamination and ensure safe recycling practices.
- Mandatory Recycling in Approved Facilities: Ships falling under the purview of this regulation are obligated to carry out recycling operations in approved facilities. These facilities must possess dry docks or equivalent infrastructure with impermeable floors and operate from well-designed and environmentally sound structures.
- Strict Control of Hazardous Waste: The UAE SRR emphasizes the need for strict controls on hazardous waste resulting from ship recycling. This measure is crucial to enhancing safety and protecting human health and the marine environment during the recycling process. Additionally, the regulation encourages the replacement of hazardous materials with non-hazardous alternatives, promoting sustainability in shipbuilding and maintenance.
Requirements for Ship Recycling Facilities:
For a ship recycling facility to comply with the UAE SRR, it must adhere to the following criteria:
- Licensing and Approval: Facilities must be licensed or approved by the Maritime Administration to ensure adherence to regulatory standards.
- No Beaching or Landing Activity: Recycling processes, including the recycling of ship components, should take place entirely within a dry dock or equivalent impermeable floors. This eliminates the practice of beaching or landing during the recycling process.
- Compliance with Regulations and Guidelines: Facilities must comply with applicable laws, International Maritime Organization (IMO), and International Labour Organization (ILO) guidelines, as well as the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants. They should be designed, built, and operated in a manner that ensures safe and environmentally friendly ship recycling.
- Management System for Safety: A stringent management system should be in place to prevent and minimize health hazards to workers and adverse effects on the environment. This includes the implementation of procedures and techniques to ensure safety during operations.
- Ship Recycling Facility Plan: Facilities must have an approved Ship Recycling Facility Plan outlining their procedures and protocols for ship recycling.
- Management of Hazardous Wastes and Materials: Strict measures should be in place for the safe and environmentally sound management and storage of hazardous wastes and materials. This involves containing all hazardous substances on board the ship throughout the recycling process and documenting waste quantities for proper disposal in authorized recycling facilities.
- Emergency Preparedness and Response: Facilities must maintain an emergency preparedness and response plan, ensuring rapid access to emergency response equipment. This includes firefighting equipment, vehicles, ambulances, and cranes to address potential emergencies on ships or within the facility.
- Worker Safety and Training: Regulations and provisions must be established to guarantee the safety and training of workers. This includes the mandatory use of personal protective equipment for operations requiring such measures.
- Incident Reporting and Record-Keeping: Facilities are required to establish records of incidents and occupational health issues. Any occurrences that pose or are likely to pose risks to workers’ safety, human health, and the environment must be reported and documented.
The introduction of the UAE SRR reflects a proactive approach by the UAE Federal Maritime Administration to address environmental and safety concerns associated with ship recycling. By setting clear standards and requirements, the regulation aims to promote responsible practices within the industry and contribute to a sustainable maritime environment.
