Leading German shipbuilder Meyer Werft is contributing toward a “cradle to grave” concept for ship recycling by improving the standards of its inventory of hazardous materials (IHM) at the newbuilding stage.
The company has been working with compatriot Green Ship Recycling Services (GSR) since 2011 on providing IHMs for newbuilding based on the Hong Kong Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships.
That was based on visual inspections and testing samples.
But now the pair are working toward a higher standard for newbuildings just ahead of the entry into force of the European Union’s Ship Recycling Regulation (SRR).
The new process involves securing supplier’s declarations of conformity and material declarations for materials and equipment. GSR and Meyer Werft have already used the method on three IHMs securing 98% of documentation required.
Now the pair will work together on the scheme for 12 newbuildings over five years.
Meyer Werft said: “This proactive approach ensures that Meyer Werft and all its suppliers gather more experience and can increase efficiency of future IHM development projects before it becomes a legally binding requirement.”
