A merchant shipping notice has been issued by the Maltese Merchant Shipping Directorate to draw the attention of all concerned that the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) has issued a reference document in relation to the EU Regulation 1257/2013 on Ship Recycling.  This provides both technical information and procedural guidance, in order to harmonize implementation and enforcement of the provisions of the Ship Recycling Regulation and the Port State Control Directive.

The purpose of EU Regulation 1257/20131 is to prevent, reduce, minimise and, to the extent practicable, eliminate accidents, injuries and other adverse effects on human health and the environment caused by ship recycling. The Regulation is also designed to enhance safety, the protection of human health and of the Union marine environment throughout a ship′s life-cycle. In particular it aims to ensure that hazardous waste from such ship recycling is subject to environmentally sound management. The Regulation also lays down rules to ensure the proper management of hazardous materials on ships.

Subject to some specific exceptions, the Ship Recycling Regulations applies to all EU flagged vessels and also to non-EU vessels, of over 500GT, calling at a port or anchorage of an EU Member State.

Click here to read the MS Notice 154, as issued by Transport Malta, or contact us on [email protected] for further guidance and information.