Previously known as the "Green Passport", the Inventory of Hazardous Materials (IHM) has been significantly developed in recent years in its methodology of sampling, analyzing, and reporting hazardous materials. Furthermore, the IMO has made periodic amendments to the IHM and the current amended guidelines can be found in MEPC 269 (68). For end-of-life vessels, Part I, Part II and Part III of IHM are -required whilst on their way to their final destination. The European Union Ship Recycling Regulation ((EUSRR) requires that Perflourooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) and Brominated retardants ((HBCDD) are sampled, analyzed and in a report according to the MEPC 269(68) requirements. The collected samples need to be analyzed as per the prescribed method analysis at an ISO 17025:2005 accredited laboratory facility.
Though, IHM reports do not guarantee 100% accuracy over the quantity or the type of haz. materials on-board a ship, without this report, one cannot simply identify the location and the type of hazardous materials before sending the vessel to recycling.
As per my observation, the degree of accuracy of haz. materials in an IHM report depend on the experience of the haz. mat expert who is conducting it and the type of laboratory he/she has chosen for analyzing the collected samples. Notably, the cost of an IHM report varies from one service provider to another.
At GMS, I am urging all the ship owners, irrespective of the recycling method they choose to dispose their floating assets, to take advantage of our IHM report service before sending their vessels for recycling. My work is committed to providing the highest quality of IHM reporting so that the ship recycling yards can benefit greatly from it through the identification of the location and quantity of waste that is to be generated during the recycling process. The aim is to facilitate the ship recycling yards in the planning for the safe and environmentally friendly management of waste well before the vessel arrives at the recycling facility and my job is to see through it. I am happy to receive enquiries on the know-how and the process we follow during the conduct of the IHM report, so you can send me your questions here: ahiremath@gmsinc.ae
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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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