Ship Recycling in Bangladesh Md. Shahjahan Director (Technical) Department of Environment Royal Park Residence, Dhaka

Slides to follow Ship Breaking Environment Conservation Act, 1995 and Environment Conservation Rules, 1997 Ship Breaking Environment Conservation Act, 1995 and Environment Conservation Rules, 1997 Concerns Concerns Hazardous Substances from Ship Breaking Hazardous Substances from Ship Breaking Effects of Marine Pollution Effects of Marine Pollution Expectation/Recommendation Expectation/Recommendation Expectation from International Community Expectation from International Community

Ship Breaking and ECA, 1995 & ECR, 1997 According to Environment Conservation Rules 1997, Ship Breaking falls under Orange B category, accordingly taking Environmental Clearance is mandatory under ECA, 1995 and ECR, According to Environment Conservation Rules 1997, Ship Breaking falls under Orange B category, accordingly taking Environmental Clearance is mandatory under ECA, 1995 and ECR, There is a wrong Perception among the owners of ship breaking yards, but we are not against this industry There is a wrong Perception among the owners of ship breaking yards, but we are not against this industry

Concerns Workers Health and Safety Workers Health and Safety Inhuman working condition Inhuman working condition Lack of protective gears Lack of protective gears Absence of mechanized equipment Absence of mechanized equipment Accidental death during the last 2 decades is more than 400 Accidental death during the last 2 decades is more than 400 Damage to Environment Damage to Environment Hazardous materials from ships pollute surrounding environment, especially beach and surrounding marine environment. Hazardous materials from ships pollute surrounding environment, especially beach and surrounding marine environment.

Hazardous Substances from Ship Breaking Asbestos fibers, dusts Heavy and toxic metals (lead, mercury, cadmium, copper, zinc, etc.) lack of hazard communication (storage, labeling, material safety data sheets) batteries fire-fighting liquids PCBs & PVC (combustion products) volatile organic compounds (solvents) compressed gas cylinders

Effects of Pollution Destruction of coastal habitats and fish species. Drop in fish catch. Migration of fish species. Impact on the livelihoods of the fisher folks. Destruction of Mangrove forests/ecosystems

Initiatives undertaken by Government of Bangladesh Project undertaken by UNDP and government, improved the working condition of the yards to some extent Project undertaken by UNDP and government, improved the working condition of the yards to some extent Ministry of Shipping has developed a draft Ship Breaking and Recycling Policy. Ministry of Shipping has developed a draft Ship Breaking and Recycling Policy.

Expectation/Recommendation A simplified Ship Breaking Guidelines (preferably in Bangla) A simplified Ship Breaking Guidelines (preferably in Bangla) A pilot model ship recycling yards to be established A pilot model ship recycling yards to be established This model if proven acceptable to the entrepreneurs/government may be replicated in other yards This model if proven acceptable to the entrepreneurs/government may be replicated in other yards Development of a model waste reception facility may also be developed and later replicated in other parts. Development of a model waste reception facility may also be developed and later replicated in other parts.

Expectation/Recommendation (Cont..) The model ship recycling facility should be affordable for the local entrepreneurs, be labour intensive, so that labourer do not loose their employment opportunity. The model ship recycling facility should be affordable for the local entrepreneurs, be labour intensive, so that labourer do not loose their employment opportunity. Should accommodate necessary equipments, such as cranes, pulleys and other basic items to make the working condition safer. Should accommodate necessary equipments, such as cranes, pulleys and other basic items to make the working condition safer.

Expectation from International Community/SBC/IMO/ILO Pre-cleaning of ships before recycling should also be considered. Pre-cleaning of ships before recycling should also be considered. Basel Convention Secretariat may explore options to help developing countries to identify and block the selling of black listed ships for recycling. Basel Convention Secretariat may explore options to help developing countries to identify and block the selling of black listed ships for recycling.