View non-flash version
Government Update Recycling of Ships By Dennis Bryant As of July 1, 2003, there were approx- imately 29,000 commercial self-pro- pelled ocean-going ships worldwide in excess of 1.000 gross tons each. Of these, just over 400 are U.S. Hag. In addition, there are approximately 3,000 U.S. barges of over 1,000 gross tons each. Approximately 25% of these ships and barges are more than 20 years old and will be taken out of service in the near future. The vast majority of the ships and barges taken out of service will be recycled (scrapped). Exactly when a ship is taken out of service is dependent upon a variety of factors, the most important being its maintenance costs and its current charter rate. Thus, the number of ships being offered for recycling can and does gyrate widely over time. There is growing realization that ships (and, to a lesser extent, barges) frequent- ly contain hazardous materials. These materials may become hazardous wastes when a ship or barge is to be recycled. Ship recycling in the United States and many other countries in the developed world is subject to environment con- trols. Such recycling in lesser devel- oped nations is not currently regulated to the same extent. Many nations are party to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal. This Convention is intended to prevent hazardous wastes from being transport- ed to another country for disposal unless the receiving country has provided knowing consent to such action. Ships being transferred from one party state for recycling in another party state appear to come within the Convention, although there is some uncertainty in this regard. While the United States is not party to the Basel Convention, it has adopted domestic legislation having the same impact. The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) provides, in per- tinent part, that hazardous waste may not be exported from the United States unless various conditions are met. The person who intends to export the haz- ardous waste must provide written noti- fication to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The notification must contain the name and address of the exporter, the types and quantities of haz- ardous waste to be exported, the date of the planned exportation, the port of entry at destination, the method of trans- port. the name and address of the ulti- mate disposal facility, and the names of any transit countries through which the hazardous waste will be sent. The United States is party to several international agreements concerning international trade in hazardous waste. The primary agreement is among mem- ber countries of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). These agree- ments share the basic principles of noti- fication by the exporter to the govern- ment of the exporting country, govern- ment-to-government notification to the Dennis L. Bryant, Senior Maritime Counsel at the law firm of Holland & Knight, Washington, D.C., is a contributing editor of MR/EN. receiving country, and receiving country consent to the shipment. More broadly, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) is devel- oping guidelines on ship recycling that may lead to mandatory requirements for an inventory of hazardous material on the ship. This inventory would be initi- ated during construction and continue to be maintained until the ship is recycled. At the same time, the International Labor Organization (ILO) is developing guidelines for ship-breaking. These standards would address working and environmental conditions at locations where ships are to be recycled. The EPA has specifically examined the ship scrapping and recycling industry. The agency has identified a variety of hazardous wastes commonly associated with ships being scrapped or recycled. These hazardous wastes include poly- chlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). asbestos, heavy metals, pesticides, and waste oils. These hazardous wastes must either be removed from the ship prior to export or the consent of both the EPA and the receiving country must be obtained before a ship can be exported from the United States for recycling in a foreign country. The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), in conjunction with other maritime organizations, developed the "Industry Code of Practice on Ship Recycling." This Code provides that, when a ship is to be sold for recycling, the owner will inventory the potentially hazardous materials on board and take steps to minimize those materials before the ship is delivered for recycling. The Code also contains a list of potentially hazardous and toxic materials frequent- ly found on ships. The EPA restrictions on export of ships for recycling have been applied to government ships. The Maritime Administration (MARAD) encountered Maritime Reporter & Engineering News Peel Strip Remove An improved method for removing paint, rust, adhesives & coatings from concrete. Aurand tools literally "peel" any accumulation from any hard surface. Here is the power of sandblasting in a compact, hand-held tool that can be used wherever a hard surface needs to be prepped prior to painting, refinishing or coating. Available in several widths, and in gasoline, pneumatic and electric models. TAKE IT OFF. TAKE IT ALL OFF Since 1937 ju4JR4N> 1210 Ellis Street Cincinnati, Ohio 45223-1843 (513)541-7200 • FAX (513) 541-3065 Email: sales@aurand.net • web: www.aurand.net • (800) 860-2872 / ^ Marine Deck Hardware il ! and Equipment • ANCHORS: • 50 to 60.000 Lbs New and Used Stockless - Danforth - L W. T. • Halls • Snug Stowing • CHAIN • J j " to 5* e New and Used Slud Link - Cast Steel - Grades 2 and 3 • Oil Rig Quality tor Moorings, Towing, Barge Handling, Ship's Replacement • WINCHES WINDLASSES CAPSTANS • Vertical or Horizontal Hand Electric. Diesel. Hydraulic or Ftepowered to your specs • HATCHES - WATERTIGHT DOORS MANHOLE COVERS SCC1TLES PORTHOLES • All Sizes New or Reconditioned • PANAMA CHOCKS - DOUBLE BITTS SINGLE BITTS CAST STEEL CLEATS AND KEVELS • GIGANTIC AI1 S'zes Available. New & Used INVENTORY • FENDERS PNEUMATIC • NEW & For Ren< or Sale USED / IN STOCK\ „A" SJz*s J( NOw tt etv S Call ,n the West Coast SERVING ; Toil-Free i Ea* Co"',nd ! THE MARINE £ OIL INDUSTRIES (800) • TN*GU" /J FOR OVER 35 YEARS 322-3131 WE ARE rATERMAN SUPPLY CO., IMC. P C B J ' >> /ILMINGTCM CA907ii PH (310) 522-9698 FAX (310) 522-1043 Circle 207 on Reader Service Card Circle 268 on Reader Service Card 18
