Increase in legal dismantling of Norwegian ships

‘The ruling against the former Harrier shipowner seems to have raised awareness of the strict regulations on exporting ships for recycling. We are currently receiving more applications for the export of ships for legal breaking than before,’ says Ellen Hambro, director general of the Norwegian Environment Agency.

Waste exports are strictly regulated in Norwegian and international law. The intention is to prevent rich countries sending ships to countries that do not have satisfactory waste management systems.

Strict requirements must ensure proper recycling

Ships that are to be recycled (dismantled) must be delivered to facilities with a permit to recycle ships, regardless of the size of the ship.

For vessels covered by regulations on the recycling of ships and mobile offshore units, a recycling certificate must be issued before the vessel is dismantled.

The Norwegian Environment Agency processes applications for consent to export and import ships for recycling.

‘Beaching’ is when a ship is driven to the shoreline under its own power, and is dismantled in the shallow waters.

Typically in the beaching process, hazardous waste from the ships is not dealt with properly, resulting in pollution both onshore and offshore.

The working conditions are often very poor, with serious risks to life and health.

Working together to prevent illegal shipbreaking

A close cooperation has been established between the Norwegian Environment Agency, the Norwegian Maritime Authority, the Norwegian Coastal Administration and the Norwegian Coast Guard to investigate suspected illegal exporting of ships for breaking.

‘As a maritime nation, it is important that Norway leads by example. New figures show that many of the ships owned by Norwegian shipping companies comply with the regulations on ship recycling,’ says Ellen Hambro.

Number of applications for legal recycling of ships

• 2016: 1
• 2017: 1
• 2018: 4
• 2019: 5
• 2020: 5
• 2021: 9
• 2022: 3*

* Figures up to 31 March. Data: Norwegian Environment Agency.

A good international regulatory framework is crucial

NGO Shipbreaking Platform is a global coalition of organisations working to reduce illegal shipbreaking. Their data show that some Norwegian-owned ships still go to countries where shipbreaking represents a major risk for the workers and the environment.

‘It shows that the regulations are not always adapted to the international nature of shipping. Ships move frequently between a number of different countries. A good international regulatory framework for ship recycling requires as many countries as possible to implement and enforce standardised regulations,’ says Ellen Hambro.

The Norwegian Environment Agency is a member of international networks where this is discussed, such as the European Commission’s Expert Group on Ship Recycling, and Impel, the EU’s network for implementing and enforcing environmental regulations.