The presence of hazardous materials on ships are commonplace and are unlikely to go away as they are necessary for the construction and maintenance of a vessel. Asbestos, for example, is one of the most common materials found on board and is used primarily in the walls and doors of an engine room due to its thermal insulation and fire-resistant properties. However, it is also extremely hazardous when it is broken up and can lead to fatal diseases if inhaled. Long-term exposure to heavy metals like lead or mercury (which can be found in paints, batteries, etc) can also cause irreversible neurological damage.

As awareness of hazardous materials grows in response to the safety and environmental concerns, various efforts have been initiated by authorities to regulate the inventory and management of hazardous materials throughout the lifecycle of a ship, in particular the Hong Kong Convention and the EU Ship Recycling Regulation (EU SRR).

With the impending deadline for existing ships to comply with the EU SRR set to 31st December 2020, this could be a major cause for concern for all vessels calling at EU ports. That means most of the ocean-going fleet worldwide should comply for all practical purposes or risk restricting the trading options for their fleet. Ships are often fixed for cargo in different parts of the world on very short notice, so make sure that your ship does not get caught out by not meeting the requirements of the different port-states beginning next year.

 

Source: ship-technology