Recycling of Ships Act, 2019

The 2019 Ship Recycling Bill has been signed into law. After receiving the President of India’s permission on the 13th of December, 2019, it became an Act. The Recycling of Ships Act of 2019 places restrictions and prohibitions on the use and installation of hazardous materials on ships, regardless of whether they are intended for recycling. New ships will be subject to immediate restrictions or prohibitions on hazardous materials as of the date the legislation takes effect, whereas existing ships will have five years to comply. Hazardous material restrictions or prohibitions would not apply to government-operated warships and non-commercial ships. We have discussed below the objectives of The Recycling Of Ships Act, 2019. 

Objectives Of The Recycling Of Ships Act, 2019

The following are the 2 objectives of the Recycling of Ships Act, 2019:

• The Bill’s goal is to regulate ship recycling by establishing specified requirements and establishing a statutory framework for enforcing those standards.
• The Ship-Breaking Code of 2013, which controls ship recycling in India and establishes criteria for environmental protection and worker safety, was enacted in 2013. The aforementioned code, on the other hand, does not contain any consequences for violations of its provisions, nor does it address the restrictions and prohibitions on the use of hazardous items on ships. The bill aims to address these gaps.

Thus the above-mentioned points are some of the objectives of The Recycling Of Ships Act, 2019. Each and every objective was formulated in order to maintain decorum and partnership at a good level and also keep in mind the benefit of the member nations.

Salient Features Of The Recycling Of Ships Act 2019

The following are the salient features of the Recycling of Ships Act, 2019:

1. It restricts and prohibits the use or installation of hazardous materials on ships, whether or not they are intended for recycling.
2. For new ships, the restriction or prohibition on the use of hazardous materials will take effect immediately, that is, on the day the legislation takes effect, whereas existing ships will have a five-year grace period to comply.
3. Hazardous material restrictions or prohibitions would not apply to government-operated warships and non-commercial ships.
4. Ships must be inspected and certified in terms of hazardous material inventories.
5. Ship recycling facilities must be authorised under the Bill, and ships must be recycled only in such authorised ship recycling facilities.
6. Ships must also be recycled in accordance with a ship-specific recycling plan, according to the law.
7. Ships destined for recycling in India must receive a Ready for Recycling Certificate in accordance with the HKC-Hong Kong International Convention for the safe and environmentally sound recycling of ships.

Thus, the above-mentioned points are some of the salient features of the Recycling of Ships Act, 2019. They all included the most important features regarding the Recycling of Ships Act, 2019.

Impact Of The Recycling Of Ships Act, 2019

The impact of the Recycling of Ships Act, 2019 is as follows:

• Ships must be recycled in line with a ship-specific recycling plan, according to this Act. Ships that are to be recycled in India must have a Ready for Recycling Certificate issued by the HKC.
• Ship recyclers are required by law to ensure the safe and environmentally sound removal and handling of hazardous wastes from ships under the Act.
• To deter any infringement of legislative provisions, appropriate criminal provisions have been included in the Act.
• The accession of India to the Hong Kong Convention and the enactment of the Recycling of Ships Act in 2019 would improve the profile of our ship recycling industry as environmentally benign and safety conscientious, further cementing India’s position as the market leader.

Thus, the above-mentioned points give us a clear indication of what is the impact of the Recycling of Ships Act, 2019 in all the varied aspects of society. The points outline the highly impacted aspects such as environment, infringement of legislative provisions, law and the aspect of recycling as well.

Conclusion

Breaking ships down into reusable components appears to be a perfect scenario for job creation, economic expansion, and environmental sustainability. In addition, India is a popular site for ship dismantling. However, when one considers the bigger picture, one realises the practical reality. Before the ship is recycled, an inventory of all hazardous substances on board, such as asbestos and heavy metals, must be completed, and the recycler must present a particular recycling strategy, according to the Hong Convention. It also stipulates that the personnel must wear protective equipment and be trained in the safe dismantling of the ships.