The final list of yards approved to handle the recycling of European flag ships from 31 December 2018 has been published.

Applications from other facilities are being processed but the European Ship Recycling Regulation (SRR) kicks off with, as expected, 26 facilities, including three from outside the European Union.

Those non-EU shipbreakers comprise two belonging to Leyal of Turkey, as well as International Shipbreaking of Brownsville, Texas.

Theoretical maximum capacity of the 26 yards now totals nearly 1,72 million ldt but actual annual shiprecycling capacity calculated on lightweight scrapped in a given year is around 612,000 ldt.

The initial list does not include any yards in the Indian subcontinent where the vast majority of ships globally are recycled.

Some 11 Indian recyclers have applied to be included on the EU list with two, Shree Ram Vessel Scrap and Priya Blue Industries, both of which are said to have undergone extensive improvement, claimed to be at an advanced stage.

Dimitri Ayvatoglu, head of special projects and external affairs at Leyal, said the breaker was very proud of having among the first facilities outside the EU to accede to the list, and the first and only so far from Turkey.

Leyal sai d in a statement that the SRR is “currently regarded as the highest worldwide standard for the safe and environmentally sound recycling of ships and offshore units, which also includes in its scope the proper, final disposal of hazardous materials.”

According to Karmenu Vella, EU commissioner for environment, maritime affairs and fisheries: "The EU is committed to reducing the impact of the EU shipping industry on the environment, including through better protection of the environment and workers in ship recycling.

“The inclusion of the first yards outside the EU is a major milestone and recognition of very significant efforts and resources dedicated by the concerned yards towards this goal. The updated list will increase the recycling capacity of the European list and give European shipowners a wider range of recycling options.”

Other EU yards added to the list are Modern American Recycling Services, Europe which has reached agreement to establish a facility in Fredrikshavn, Denmark; San Giorgi del Porto in northwest Italy and Turun Korjaustelakka (Turku Repair Yard) in southern Finland.

Anil Sharma, founder and chief executive of cash buyer GMS, has claimed that some yards on the EU list will offer demolition rates far below market levels.

The list of approved yards under a regulation adopted 30 November was published today in the Official Journal of the European Union.