The United Arab Emirates' introduction of a new Ship Recycling Regulation (SRR) heralds a significant shift in maritime environmental practices. This regulation, banning the traditional beaching and landing methods of ship recycling, aims to elevate environmental standards in the industry. However, it raises critical questions about its pragmatic approach and potential unintended consequences on global sustainability, particularly concerning the robust ship recycling practices in India. The UAE's new Ship Recycling Regulation (SRR) brings a transformative approach to the industry, potentially increasing the number of UAE-flagged ships and impacting the global maritime sector.
More than 95% of end-of-life ships currently rely on landing and beaching methods for recycling. These methods are integral to the global ship recycling industry. They enable the recycling of over 97% of a ship, including steel, non-ferrous metals, and other materials. This high rate of recycling plays a significant role in environmental sustainability by reducing the need for new material production and minimizing associated greenhouse gas emissions.
India stands as the world's largest green ship recycling country, with more than 110 HKC-compliant yards. The Indian approach to ship recycling is not just about dismantling; it's a comprehensive process of reusing, recycling, refurbishing, and upcycling, turning what was once considered waste into valuable resources. This not only offers the highest residual value to ship owners but also significantly contributes to global decarbonization efforts.
Global Dependence on Beaching and Landing Methods: The majority of the world's ship recycling happens via beaching and landing. The shift mandated by the UAE's SRR could significantly disrupt this global dependence, leading to a reduction in recycling capacity and increased costs. Under the UAE SRR, ship owners unable to secure a slot at a compliant yard have the option to transfer ownership to a UAE entity. This provision could lead to a significant increase in UAE-flagged ships. Additionally, with most drydocks already booked until 2025 due to the demand for energy-efficient refurbishments, this regulation might strain the already limited recycling capacity.
Variability in Recycling Practices: The effectiveness and environmental impact of ship recycling vary widely. The new UAE regulation might not adequately address this variability. While it bans beaching and landing, these methods are not inherently unsustainable. The quality of recycling practices is more dependent on the management and operation of the yards rather than the method itself.
Impact on the UAE's Maritime Industry: The regulation could deter ships from entering UAE waters, impacting essential services like bunkering and ship repair. This avoidance could lead to a decrease in maritime traffic in UAE ports, affecting the local economy and potentially leading to a loss in business opportunities.
Wider Implications for Global Sustainability: By potentially pushing the industry towards alternatives the regulation may inadvertently negate the sustainability benefits achieved by efficient recycling practices.
The UAE's SRR notably incorporates the Inventory of Hazardous Materials (IHM) requirement, a significant step towards enhancing maritime environmental safety. This inclusion ensures comprehensive documentation and management of hazardous substances on ships, aligning with global best practices in ship recycling. The IHM's role is pivotal in promoting not just regulatory compliance but also in safeguarding the health of workers and the marine environment, reflecting the UAE's commitment to a more environmentally conscious and responsible maritime industry.
The potential economic repercussions of the UAE's decision could extend beyond its own borders. Ships avoiding UAE waters to escape the constraints of the new regulation could impact the country's maritime industry. The regulation may shift tank cleaning operations out of UAE waters, potentially affecting local businesses and leading to a relocation of these activities to non-UAE regions. Furthermore, the recycling of UAE-flagged vessels in drydocks outside the country could impact the UAE's circular economy goals and conservation of resources. The drydock method of recycling often leads to the melting of ship scrap in furnaces rather than rerolling and upcycling, reducing the residual value of the ships.
The UAE's SRR, while laudable in its environmental aspirations, necessitates a holistic and pragmatic examination. To truly align with global sustainability goals, the UAE should consider allowing HKC-compliant yards for the recycling of both UAE and non-UAE-flagged vessels. This approach would acknowledge the current 637 UAE-flagged ships, as per UNCTAD data, ensuring they have sustainable recycling options. A balanced approach, weighing both environmental and practical ship recycling aspects, is essential. The regulation presents complex challenges, affecting local maritime businesses and the circular economy. Its broader implications extend beyond environmental concerns, impacting the economic landscape and established recycling practices. This comprehensive critique underscores the need for inclusive and collaborative dialogue among global stakeholders to align environmental standards with the realities of the ship recycling industry.
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Dr. Anand Hiremath is a leading voice in sustainable ship recycling, with a strong foundation in civil and environmental engineering and more than a decade of specialised expertise in safe and environmentally sound ship recycling.
He holds a master’s degree in Environmental Engineering from IIT Guwahati and earned his PhD from IIT Bombay, where his pioneering research on the Integrated Risk Assessment Framework for Best Practices in Ship Recycling contributed to advancing safety, environmental responsibility, and structured risk management within the industry.
As Chief Executive Officer of the Sustainable Ship and Offshore Recycling Program (SSORP), Dr. Hiremath plays a key role in strengthening responsible ship recycling practices across the sector. He works closely with recycling yards to support compliance with the Hong Kong Convention (HKC) for the safe and environmentally sound recycling of ships. Under his leadership, SSORP has overseen more than 100 Inventory of Hazardous Materials (IHM) surveys and successfully supported the recycling of over 130 end-of-life vessels.
His commitment to worker safety and practical capacity-building is reflected in more than 800 free safety awareness sessions conducted at recycling yards across the Indian subcontinent, benefiting over 13,000 workers. These initiatives have helped improve awareness, hazard recognition, and safe work practices at the yard level.
Beyond his operational leadership, Dr. Hiremath contributes to the development of the next generation of ship recycling professionals as Course Director for the Lloyd’s Maritime Academy Ship Recycling course in London. His global influence extends through his involvement in major international research and improvement initiatives, including the EU-funded DIVEST project and the Green Alang Initiative, both focused on improving environmental standards and sustainability in ship recycling.
Dr. Hiremath’s work has been published in leading international scientific journals, reinforcing his position as a thought leader in the field. He is also the author of The Green Handbook: A Practical Checklist to Monitor the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships, a practical industry resource for monitoring responsible ship recycling practices.
His professional credentials include Lead Auditor certifications for ISO 45001 and ISO 9001, certification as a Hazmat expert, Social Auditor, Responsible Steel Auditor, and sustainability practitioner.
With his combination of technical expertise, field experience, academic contribution, and commitment to worker safety and environmental protection, Dr. Anand Hiremath remains at the forefront of the global movement toward safer, greener, and more sustainable ship recycling.
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