Press Release – UAE takes important steps towards sustainable ship recycling

Published in December 11th, 2023

NGOs call on the European Union and ship owners to follow suit

 

The United Arab Emirates (UAE)’s new Ship Recycling Regulation requires a dry dock or equivalent infrastructures for environmentally sound ship recycling. Set to take effect from June 2025, this transformative legislation effectively brings about a ban on the beaching and landing of UAE-flagged vessels as well as all foreign vessels leaving or transiting through UAE waters enroute to scrap yards. [1]

"We applaud the UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure for this bold move, which is poised to have a profound impact, particularly on the prevalent practice of delivering end-of-life vessels to cash buyers in UAE waters before their final journey to South Asian beaches. "
Nicola Mulinaris - Senior Communication and Policy Advisor - NGO Shipbreaking Platform

Beaching is already banned in other major ship owning countries, including the European Union (EU), China and Japan. The UAE's new rules surpass the EU Ship Recycling Regulation by banning the landing method as practiced in Aliaga, Turkey. They furthermore ban the re-flagging of vessels for the purpose of scrapping them at beaching or landing facilities.

"We strongly urge the EU to align its Ship Recycling Regulation, currently under review, with the recent steps taken by the UAE. Stopping the practice of circumventing legislation by out-flagging is crucial, and closing the avenue for employing the worst ship recycling methods, i.e. beaching and landing, is imperative for safeguarding workers’ safety and ecosystems."
Ingvild Jenssen - Executive Director and Founder - NGO Shipbreaking Platform

The new UAE Ship Recycling Regulation aims to encourage the growth of compliant ship recycling facilities. Whilst a dry-dock facility is already conducting ship recycling in neighbouring Bahrain, more dry-dock capacity that can ensure full containment of hazardous materials and pollution is needed to accommodate the many vessels that will reach the end of their lives in the coming years. 

"UAE ship owners have a track record of using beaching yards for the scrapping of their vessels. We therefore welcome the UAE government’s announcements that they will boost dry-dock capacity and ensure that all end-of-life ships in their waters only head towards facilities that operate in an environmentally sound manner. We encourage the shipping sector to join in on this effort to clean up its last act."
Ingvild Jenssen - Executive Director and Founder - NGO Shipbreaking Platform

NOTE

 

[1] The Regulation applies to UAE-flagged vessels and 

- Foreign ships where the decision to recycle the ship was made when the vessel was in UAE waters. 

- Foreign ships that have commenced the final voyage for recycling directly from UAE waters, with or without any technical stops in between while enroute to the recycling facility or have stopped at a UAE port or anchorage while on their way to the recycling facility.

 

CONTACT THE TEAM
Nicola Mulinaris
Senior Communication and Policy Advisor
+32(0)260.94.420
Ingvild Jenssen
Director and Founder
+32(0)260.94.419
FEED
@NGOShipbreaking
Could not authenticate you.

Related news

Brussels, Aug 25th 2021

Press Release – NGOs urge Greece and Bangladesh to stop illegal beaching of ferry

Yet another passenger ship is heading towards the shipbreaking beaches of South Asia, in clear violation of European rules that are aimed at preventing the trade of… Read More

Brussels, Aug 30th 2022

Platform publishes South Asia Quarterly Update #30

Fourteen workers suffered an accident on South Asian beaches in the second quarter of 2022.

... Read More
Aliaga, Sep 17th 2021

Press Release – NGOs denounce death toll of shipbreaking and call for an urgent move of the industry to safe and sustainable platforms

In the last weeks, seven workers tragically died while dismantling vessels in Bangladesh and Turkey.    Five workers were killed and three severely injured in seven separate… Read More

Brussels, Jun 17th 2019

Platform News – Performance With Bare Hands (Live) in Brussels

The NGO Shipbreaking Platform invites you to attend the artistic performance With Bare Hands (Live) on Friday 21 June in Brussels (Belgium).

... Read More
MORE NEWS
Jan 22nd 2019

Where ships go to die – Winner of the Public Eye Investigation Award

Decommissioned deep-sea vessels are floating toxic waste. Their disposal is laborious and costly, and regarded as a menace by those who want to protect both the workers… Read More

Brussels, Jun 07th 2018

Press Release – NGO Shipbreaking Platform presents Annual Report 2017

The NGO Shipbreaking Platform presents its Annual Report 2017.   The NGO Shipbreaking Platform works to ensure that vessels are recycled without causing harm to workers and… Read More

Brussels, Sep 28th 2022

Press Release – Toxic aircraft carrier São Paulo rejected by Turkey returning to Brazil

The toxic waste-laden aircraft carrier São Paulo is on its way back to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. 
Environmental and labour groups declare victory.

... Read More
Brussels, Oct 08th 2020

Platform News – Platform welcomes new Indonesian partner organisation

The NGO Shipbreaking Platform welcomes the Nexus3 Foundation as new partner organisation.

... Read More

Donate

NGO Shipbreaking Platform
The leading NGO coalition campaigning for clean and safe ship recycling

© 2019 NGO Shipbreaking Platform  |  Privacy Policy  |  Designed by Essence Creative  |  Hosted by Outfront