IMO To Develop New Ship Recycling Legislation

The Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) has called for an instrument to provide legally-binding and globally-applicable regulations covering international shipping and recycling facilities.
An MEPC meeting in July approved a draft resolution setting out the organisation’s commitment to develop this new IMO ship recycling instrument which, the committee agreed, should include regulations for the design, construction, operation and preparation of ships so as to facilitate safe and environmentally sound recycling. However, it was underlined that the proposed regulations should not compromise: the safety and operational efficiency of ships; the operation of ship recycling facilities in a safe and environmentally sound manner; and the establishment of an appropriate enforcement mechanism for ship recycling (certification/reporting requirements).
MEPC further agreed that the instrument should be completed in time for its consideration and adoption in the period 2008 to 2009.

For more information: http://www.imo.org/home.asp