First Non-EU Ship Recycling Yards Join EU List

The European Commission published the fourth version of the ‘European List of ship recycling facilities’ last week, adding six new yards, taking the total up to 26.

It includes 23 facilities located in European Union (EU) member states, and for the first time ever, three located in non-EU member states – LEYAL and LEYAL-DEMTAS in Turkey and a facility in the USA, said a press release from Lloyd's Register.

From 31 December 2018, the EU Ship Recycling Regulation will require all ships flying the flag of an EU Member State to use an approved ship recycling facility included in the European List. The addition of the LEYAL Group facilities to the EU List will help meet the capacity requirements for the recycling of larger EU flagged ships.

LEYAL is the leading ship recycling company in Turkey and has a long and successful track record of robust performance and a wealth of experience in green recycling spanning 37 years, making it one of the most experienced ship recycling facilities worldwide.

LR previously certified LEYAL’s facilities in compliance with the IMO Hong Kong Convention in 2016. The assessment/verification was conducted through rigorous reviews of ship recycling facility plans and supporting documentation, and a series of demanding site inspections, ensuring that management systems and operations were in full accordance with the Convention.

On the occasion of the publication of the new ‘European List of ship recycling facilities’ EU Commissioner for Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Karmenu Vella, said: “The EU is committed to reducing the impact of EU shipping industry on the environment, including through better protection of environment and workers in ship recycling."

Karmenu  added: "The inclusion of the first yards located outside the EU is a major milestone and the recognition of very significant efforts and resources dedicated by the concerned yards towards this goal. The updated List will increase the recycling capacity of the European List, and give European ship owners a wider range of recycling options.”

Dimitri Ayvatoglu, Head Special Projects & External Affairs at LEYAL, said: “We are once again proud to have achieved another major milestone in our continuous effort to offer the industry sustainable ship recycling options, both in relation to realising significant asset values as well as with respect to safe and environmentally sound recycling operations."

"Being the first non-European ship recycling facility worldwide to be added the EU List and the first and only from Turkey is a showcase of our high quality environment, health and safety standards and a testament to our strong commitment to remain at the forefront of developments,” Dimitri added.

LR’s Ehud Bar-Lev, Global Manager, Ship Inspection & Assessment, said: “LEYAL’s commitment towards safe and sustainable ship recycling is a continuous effort reflected in its day-to-day operating culture. Lloyd’s Register is proud to play a major role in changing this industry towards a better future for the environment, employees and the shipping industry.”