The European Regulation on Ship Recycling (No 1257/2013) which will reach its full effect by 31st December 2018 with respect to new vessels, imposes an obligation on Malta flagged vessels to conduct dismantling operations in ship recycling facilities, approved by the European Commission, in accordance with the:

  1. Ship-specific ship recycling plan ("SSSRP"); and
  2. Inventory of hazardous materials;

The SSSRP is to be developed by the operator of the ship recycling facility in accordance with the provisions of the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships, 2009.

Ship owners are obliged to furnish all ship-relevant information necessary for the development of the SSSRP, including the inventory of hazardous materials which identifies the harmful materials contained in the structure or equipment of the ship, their location and approximate quantities. Each new ship is required to have this inventory of hazardous materials on board that shall comply with all relevant IMO guidelines and provide evidence that the ship complies with the restrictions or prohibitions of hazardous materials.

Malta flagged ships will be subject to several surveys conducted by the recognised organisation, which will be conducted at intervals as follows:

  1. Initial survey;
  2. Renewal survey;
  3. Additional survey; and
  4. Final survey.

An inventory certificate (supplemented by the inventory of hazardous materials) will be issued following the successful completion of (i) and (ii) above. The surveys shall verify that the ship recycling plan and inventory of hazardous materials complies with the Regulation.

If the particulars of the ship are not adequately reflected in the inventory certificate, the operator of the ship recycling facility may decline to accept the ship for recycling. Furthermore, ship owners of end of life ships destined for recycling are required to minimise the amount of cargo and ship generated waste remaining on board.

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.