Maersk Launch Major Indian Recycling Initiative

Twitter
Facebook
LinkedIn
Email

Following Maersk Group’s recent announcement of its long-term commitment to create more responsible recycling options in Alang, India, an agreement has been reached for the landing of the first two vessels.

The Maersk Wyoming and the Maersk Georgia, two Maersk Line container vessels, are expected in Alang late May, 2016.

The vessels will be recycled at the Shree Ram yard in Alang which is certified to the standards of the Hong Kong Convention.

The market for ship recycling is dominated by practices unchanged for decades.

Out of a total of 768 ships recycled globally in 2015, 469 – representing 74% of the total gross tonnage scrapped – were sold to facilities on beaches in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh with challenges to workers and the environment.

Maersk’s policy is to only recycle ships responsibly. Until recently, this was only feasible in a limited number of yards in China and Turkey.

Technical Paper: Environmental Innovation at the Port of Long Beach

Annette Stube, Head of Sustainability at Maersk, said: “By initiating recycling of vessels in Alang at responsible yards, we ensure further development of financially feasible and responsible recycling options to the benefit of Alang and the shipping industry. This development will take time, but we are determined to work with the yards for the long haul.”

Steady improvements of conditions have been witnessed in ship recycling yards in Alang in the last couple of years.

Following several audits at upgraded facilities in Alang in 2015, Maersk concluded that responsible recycling can be accelerated in the area, if the engagement is made now.

Annette Stube continues: “The Alang plans come at a cost for us, but we will invest money and human resources to ensure we can already now scrap our vessels in compliance with the Hong Kong Convention provisions (HSE) as well as international standards on labor conditions and anti-corruption.

“We will also have staff on-site at Shree Ram. They will be working closely with the yard to further upgrade practices, processes and facilities to ensure that the recycling of our vessels complies with our standards.”

To accelerate the upgrade of more yards in Alang, Maersk is working on building a broader collaboration with other ship owners to increase demand for responsible ship recycling and to find sustainable solutions.

A first step is a dialogue with Japanese ship owners in collaboration with the Japanese ship owners association (JSA) in the coming months.

Daily Email Newsletter

Sign up to our daily email newsletter to receive the latest news from Port Technology International.
FREE

Supplier Directory

Find out how to get listed

Webinar Series

Find out how to attend

Latest Stories

Cookie Policy. This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website.