The results of the European Commission’s review of its Ship Recycling Regulations are expected to be published in Q2 2024. What it says and what changes may materialise remain to be seen. More to the point, the coming into effect of the Hong Kong Convention and an apparent change of heart by the EU in a review of its Waste Shipment regulation could see EU-flagged ships being broken quite legally in Asian yards.

November this year saw the tenth anniversary of the adoption of the EU Ship Recycling Regulations (EUSRR) launched as a response to the poor uptake of the IMO’s Hong Kong Convention adopted in 2009 but not then entered into force. Under EUSRR provisions, end of life EU-flagged ships above 500gt have been required to be recycled in one of the facilities approved by the EU. In addition, there has been a mandatory requirement since December 2020 for an Inventory of Hazardous Materials for all existing EU flagged ships and non-EU ships calling at an EU port or anchorage.

With the main requirements having been in place for five years, the EU implemented a review of the regulation and its effectiveness earlier in 2023. A public consultation period ended in June with 16 documents and comments having been submitted.