Five European recycling yards are joining forces to deliver the message that EU-flagged ships should be dismantled within the continent.
The newly established European Ship Recyclers Group (ESR) will be comprised of the Port of Bordeaux, Galloo, Smedegaarden, Scheepssloperij Nederland and Spain’s DDR.
Peter Wyntin, chairman of ESR, said: “Our first target is to create awareness of the recycling capacity in Europe, which today is over a million tons.
“We have to ensure that our member yards are on the top of the shipowners’ list for dismantling their ships.”
NGO Shipbreaking Platform stressed the need for the creation of a ship recycling license from all vessels visiting EU ports late last month.
During TradeWinds’ Ship Recycling Forum last week, Emilien Gasc, policy advisor for the European Commission (EC)’s recycling unit said Europe is committed to providing support to non-EU recycling facilities.
Eighteen European yards have applied to get approval to break ships in their facilities.
Wyntin added: “Our message is a clear one. If we can handle them, let’s keep the EU-flagged ships in Europe.”
ESR added its future target is to unite all the green European recycling under its umbrella.
