On December 9, 2019 the parliament has passed the “The Recycling of Ships Bill 2019’’ inorder to ensure environmentally safe and sound recycling of Ships in India. Under the bill, the govt. will provide regulations of recycling of ships by setting international standards. The bill feature in detail are as follows:
The Recycling of Ships Bill 2019:
i.The already existing Shipbreaking Code (revised),2013 and the provisions of the Hong Kong Convention, 2009 will be dovetailed (joined together) in this bill.
ii.The bill is expected to bring reaching effects in Indian Ship Recycling industry. It would ensure environment friendly recycling process of ships and adequate safety of the workers in the shipyard. The bill is mainly focused with the workers’ safety concerns.
iii.India’s share in global ship recycling industry: India has a share of over 30% of the global market in the ship recycling industry.
iv.Bill features:
- The bill prohibits the use or installation of hazardous materials in the ship irrespective of whether the ship will be recycled or not.
- Existing ships will be given 5-year compliance to remove the hazardous material.
- New Ships will be prohibited to use the hazardous material with immediate effect from the date of legislation comes to force.
- Warships and other non-commercial ships will not be given restriction on usage of the hazardous material.
v.Ready for Recycling Certificate: Ships to be recycled in India will need to obtain a ‘Ready for Recycling Certificate’ in accordance with the Hong Kong Convention. In this regard, a large number of recycling plots, especially at Alang,Gujarat, have obtained Statement of Compliance (SOC) with the Hong Kong Convention.
vi.Benefits of the bill: Some of the benefits of the bill are as follows:
- The bill would increase the number of global ships entering into Indian Shipyards for recycling and would also boost employment and business opportunities.
- The brand value of Ships Recycling Yards located at Alang in Gujarat, Mumbai Port(Maharashtra), Kolkata Port (West Bengal) & Azhikkal in Kerala will be increased.
- 10% of the country’s secondary steel needs, will be met in an eco-friendly manner.
vii.Hong-Kong Convention(HKC): The HKC is aimed at ensuring that ships, when being recycled after reaching the end of their operational lives, do not pose any unnecessary risks to human health, safety and the environment.
About Ministry of Shipping:
Headquarters- New Delhi.
Minister of State (MoS- independent charge)- Mansukh Laxmanbhai Mandaviya (also Mos of chemicals and fertilizers).
