New Ship Recycling Regulation – Inventory of Hazardous Materials (IHM) earlier than expected

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The EU Council and the parliament have now agreed on the text of an EU regulation on ship recycling. 20 days after the regulation is published in the official EU journal, it will come into force. It is expected to be published before the end of this year or early next year. The new Ship Recycling Regulation will apply to large commercial seagoing vessels (>500GT) flying the flag of an EU Member State, and to ships flying any flag of a third country calling at EU ports or anchorages.
The new Ship Recycling Regulation will force ship owners to have an Inventory of Hazardous Materials (IHM) earlier than by the expected entry into force date of the Hong Kong Convention. The requirements of the EU regulation are quite similar to the Hong Kong Convention but have some additional requirements. Within the first time window all ships flying under EU flag will have to have an Inventory of Hazardous Materials. After seven years at the latest, all ships entering European ports will have to present the IHM to port state control authorities. This will force ship owners to be prepared earlier than expected.   
Ship Recycling Facilities (SRF) will be motivated to appear on an EU list of accepted SRF to receive ships for recycling from EU member states. SRF have to fulfill certain requirements similar to the guidelines of the Hong Kong Convention as well as the requirements of the EU regarding recycling in a safe and environmentally sound manner. 
European ship owners will have to ensure that ships are only recycled in ship recycling facilities mentioned on the European List. They will also have to ensure that ships at the end of therir lifecycles are prepared for recycling. In order to do this, they will have to provide the necessary information about the ship to the ship recycling facility, notify the intention to recycle the ship to the relevant administration, provide an updated Inventory of Hazardous Materials, and minimise the amount of cargo residues, remaining fuel oil and ship generated wastes remaining on board. They will also have to provide a ready for recycling certificate to the ship recycling facility chosen to recycle their ship. 
Prior to any recycling of a European ship, a ship recycling plan will have to be developed by the operator of the ship recycling facility, based on the information provided by the ship owner. The plan will contain information about the ship which is essential for its safe and sound treatment and will thus help the work of the ship recycling facility. European ships will undergo surveys verifying compliance of the IHM with the requirements of the regulation. 
EU Member States' port authorities will be authorised to check European ships to verify whether they have on board a ready for recycling certificate or a valid IHM, which is relevant. 
Source: GL Academy ​