Proposed EU ban on beaching may wreck South Asian ship-breaking industry

NEW DELHI (Scrap Monster) : The proposed EU legislation to ban beaching of old ships to informal ship-breaking facilities in South Asian countries is believed to be stalled following protests from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh.

The proposed would prevent ships flying EU flags from being dismantled at informal yards near to shore. The ship breaking activities being held in these low-cost recycling facilities pose potential environmental risks of toxic materials getting spilled over into the sea. The standard vessel-recycling activities are normally carried out at dry docks and piers where hazards of environmental damages are minimal.

The European Parliament has approved the ban measures. However, the European Council has rejected the ban proposal following strong protests from various South Asian countries, mainly from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh which account for almost 70% of the world’s ship recycling industry. The approval of the council is mandatory for the ban to be implemented as a law. The EU lawmakers and the council members are scheduled to hold a meeting Monday to have further discussions on the ban proposal.

The ship-breaking industry in Asia is a multi-billion dollar industry employing thousands.