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Global experts gather in Tokyo for ClassNK ship recycling seminar

May 24, 2016 10:35:00 AM

Tokyo- Around 300 people gathered in Tokyo on 12 May to attend a ship recycling seminar held by leading classification society ClassNK. In addition to ClassNK representatives, top industry experts from Asia and Europe discussed the current challenges of ship recycling and what the industry can do to support safe and environmentally sound recycling practices.

Mr. Koichi Kato, Deputy Director-General for Engineering Affairs, Maritime Bureau of Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT), opened the seminar with a keynote address.

“I see a lot of attendees here today which shows high interest in ship recycling. The Japanese government attaches special importance to the early entry into force of the HKC as the global framework for safe and environmentally friendly ship recycling… We join hands with the industry around the world and will keep on working for HKC’s smooth implementation”.

Speakers during the first half of the seminar explored the current situation of the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships, 2009 (HKC) and the EU Ship Recycling Regulation (EU Regulation) in Europe and Japan.The second half of the seminar focused on the present state of ship recycling facilities (SRFs) in South Asia with presentations by key industry figures and a panel discussion.
Captain Simon Bennett, General Manager of Sustainable Development at The China Navigation Co. Pte. Ltd. / Swire Pacific Offshore Operations (Pte) Ltd pointed out the sustainability value of ship recycling.

“It takes 60% less energy to produce steel from sustainably recycling a ship compared to from iron ore. We strongly believe in sustainable ship recycling.”

Mr. Keiji Tomoda, Chairman of the Ship Recycling Committee of Japan Shipowners’ Association spoke on ClassNK’s issuance of HKC Statements of Convention (SoCs) to four SRFs in India.

“Shipowners need sufficient recycling capacity in line with global safety and environmental standards. We went to India and witnessed how much improvement has been made. It was truly eye-opening for all of us. ClassNK’s certification is technical support for these yards that are making a real and sustained effort to operate in a safe and environmentally friendly manner.”

Mr. John Kornerup Bang, Head of Positioning & Strategic Risk Management, Group Sustainability at A.P. Møller – Mærsk Group also approached the topic from a shipowner’s perspective.

“For too long too little has been done. We are very happy with ClassNK’s certification of these four yards in India. For us, that is the starting point. Shipowners have to send a strong signal that
this is the only level the owners will accept and drive the incentive for other yards to upgrade.”

Mr. Henning Gramann, CEO, GSR Services GmbH suggested shipowners look closely at how different SRFs operate.

“Shipowners’ sufficient inspection of recycling facilities with the involvement of knowledgeable experts will surely help in creating and expanding the green ship recycling market.”

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