Japanese Ship Recycling Facility Earns ClassNK Certification

Classification society ClassNK issued the first Statement of Compliance for a ship recycling facility in Japan to Miyaji Salvage Co. Ltd.. certifying that the facility and its recycling procedures are fully in compliance with the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships, 2009 (Hong Kong Convention). This marks the first time that a ship recycling yard in Japan has achieved certification in line with the convention.

Miyaji Salvage Co. Ltd. was established in Tadotsu, Nakatado District, Kagawa Prefecture in 1976. Among the recycling facilities at Miyaji Salvage include a 25,000m2 ship recycling yard, a 450m wharf, and a 250t crane vessel, which are used in the dismantling and recycling of coastwise vessels and harbor loading facilities.

Miyaji Salvage developed its Ship Recycling Facility Plan (SRFP) according to the convention last year ahead of its entry into force. During the dismantling of the ferry Yotei-Maru, in cooperation with the General incorporated association Ehime Toyo Ship Recycling Study Group, Miyaji Salvage developed the Inventory of Hazardous Materials (IHM) and the Ship Recycling Plan (SRP) required by the convention, and underwent a certification by ClassNK, completely carrying out all the requirements of the conventions.

ClassNK issued the Statement of Compliance to Miyaji Salvage after a thorough appraisal, verifying that the SRFP developed by Miyaji Salvage fulfilled all the requirements of the convention, and that the recycling of the Yotei-Maru was in line with the convention. This certification as well as IHM and SRP certifications are offered by ClassNK as part of a one-stop service.

Miyaji Salvage is the third company in the world to be issued with this Statement of Compliance, after Jiangmen Zhongxin Shipbreaking & Steel Co.,Ltd. in December 2012, and Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Marine Service Co. Ltd in September 2013. The recycling of the Yotei-Maru also marks the first time in the world that ship recycling has been carried out with IHM, SRP and SRFP in compliance with the convention.