Shipowners seeking to use European Union-approved recycling facilities in Turkey face a wait of at least three months after a surge in demolition deals, according to brokers.

The problem is particularly acute for owners that want to demolish large ships in compliance with EU and other international waste export regulations.

Cash buyer Best Oasis declared Turkey “full” in its weekly round-up of shipbreaking activity.

“It has been an interesting week with the arrival of large tonnages for EU-approved yards,” Best Oasis said. “All EU-approved yards located in Turkey are now full. It would require approximately two to three months more for them to complete their current recycling projects.”

The problem is likely to worsen. Cruise lines are lining up extensive scrapping programmes in response to the collapse of their market and seem to be favouring Turkey.

In an indication of growing congestion, the 9,600-teu containership Sine Maersk (built 1998) has been at anchorage for two to three months outside the demolition centre of Aliaga as it awaits a recycling spot.

What the rules say

The Sine Maersk has been waiting for a recycling spot at Aliaga for months. Photo: Pixel Opa/MarineTraffic

The EU’s Ship Recycling Regulation requires owners of European-flag ships to recycle only at its approved yards. Shipowners from countries that have ratified the Basel Convention are required to scrap vessels only at facilities in OECD member states.

The largest EU and OECD-approved facilities are in Turkey, with very little available elsewhere that can handle vessels over panamax size.

The EU has consistently declined to approve even the most advanced facilities in India and Bangladesh as suitable to demolish Europe-flag ships.

Recycling broker Edward McIlvaney said some Turkish yards have told owners they will have to wait until 2021 for recycling to begin.

“We have been reliably informed that any new tonnage for green recycling in Turkey will be facing a long delay in commencement of the recycling until the early months in 2021, as all of the EU-approved yards are full to capacity,” he said.

That means there is nowhere for owners to legally demolish ships in compliance with the EU and Basel regulations — and McIlvaney suggested the EU needs to find a solution.

“The question has to be: what can the EU propose when it comes to advising where the rest of the vessels can go?" he said.

"Do they intend to scuttle them, sending them to the bottom of the oceans, thereby enhancing the pollution they are allegedly fighting against?”