Hong Kong Convention for Ship Recycling | 21 Nov 2019
Why in News
The Union Cabinet has approved accession to the Hong Kong International Convention for Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships, 2009.
- The Convention was adopted at a diplomatic conference held in Hong Kong, China, from 11th-15th May 2009.
- Aim: To ensure that ships, when being recycled after reaching the end of their operational lives, do not pose any unnecessary risks to human health and safety and the environment.
- Objectives
- It intends to address all the issues around ship recycling, including the probable presence of environmentally hazardous substances such as asbestos, heavy metals, hydrocarbons, ozone depleting substances and others.
- It aims to address concerns about working and environmental conditions in many of the world's ship recycling facilities.
- Scope
- It covers the design, construction, operation and preparation of ships so as to facilitate safe and environmentally sound recycling, without compromising the safety and operational efficiency of ships.
- The operation of ship recycling facilities in a safe and environmentally sound manner.
- The establishment of an appropriate enforcement mechanism for ship recycling, incorporating certification and reporting requirements.
India and Ship Recycling
- India is the leader in the global ship recycling industry, with a share of over 30% of the market.
- The Union Cabinet has recently approved the proposal for enactment of Recycling of Ships Bill, 2019.
- The Bill restricts and prohibits the use or installation of hazardous material, which applies irrespective of whether a ship is meant for recycling or not.
- However, restriction or prohibition on the use of hazardous material would not be applied to warships and non-commercial ships operated by the Government.
- The Provisions of the Hong Kong Convention will be implemented under the provisions of the Recycling of Ships Bill, 2019 and rules and regulations framed there under.