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IMO FIRES UP SCRAP DEBATE

by James Brewer, Lloyd's List

LONDON, United Kingdom, 3 July, 1999 -Ship scrapping has been officially added to the International Maritime Organisation's copious agenda of safety promotion work - despite the reservations of some open register maritime nations.

Michael Julian, the Australian chairman of IMO's marine environment protection committee, took the decision after weighing up debate at the latest session in London.

It was seen as a victory for the Norwegian government. Oslo has been pressing the IMO to develop standards to be operated by ship sellers, flag and receiving states, and in addition demolition entrepreneurs.

Mr Julian wants the topic of "ship recycling," as it was termed by many of those present, to be put on the agenda for the March 2000 committee meeting.

Opposition from the Bahamas, Brazil, Bangladesh, Liberia, Ukraine, Panama and Russia, was overruled.

Statements in favour were delivered by Norway, China, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Japan, the Netherlands, the Philippines, South Korea, Spain, Vanuatu, the UK and environmental organisation Greenpeace.

The world's leading ship demolition nation, India, sat out the debate.

India and Bangladesh together handled some 68% of all tonnage scrapped in 1997 and 1998.

Many of those against involving the UN body stressed that while more controls might be needed, shore-based industries were outside the IMO mandate.

They said investigating ship scrapping would add an unnecessary burden to the IMO's heavy workload.

Further, there were fears that placing onerous requirements on scrapping procedures could deter owners from selling poor quality tonnage.

The committee signalled its determination to improve the shipbreaking safety record.

However, it could be some years before IMO gets fully to grips with the issue.

The committee will first consider drawing up a resolution to the full assembly on the need for an internationally-agreed framework for the sector. Simon Carroll of Greenpeace International, welcomed the decision.

He said: "The issue is complex, and will certainly require the input and involvement of other UN bodies. "Equally important will be the participation of the shipbuilding, shipbreaking and shipping industries, and nations."

He added: "We do not in any way want to compromise the safety of life at sea, or the protection of the marine environment by providing any incentive or pretext to extend the operating life of substandard vessels. A solution requires a holistic 'cradle to the grave' approach."

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