Ship recycling is a challenging activity and is considered one of the most dangerous jobs purely because of possible risks that could arise if safe recycling practices are not followed. If safe recycling practices are not followed it could lead to injuries, fatalities, and work-related sicknesses. Ship demolition is difficult because of the structural complexity of the vessel, size of the vessel and environmental and health risk causing gases and hazardous materials. Ship recycling workers also need to be given adequate training and personal protective equipment to protect their health and cause minimal impact on environment.

Wirana Shipping Corporation in an ardent proponent of green ship recycling and has its own green ship recycling team to provide adequate control and guidance to handle all challenges that could be encountered during ship breaking. For them, ship breaking is not tough because they run the operation systematically.  To address the problems or challenges associated with ship breaking, they have well-produced guidelines that help them to deal with various problems in this area within the respective mandates and have established a green recycling team to coordinate their activities. They encourage ship owners to always consider “Green Ship Recycling” which ensures responsible recycling of the vessels. Being responsible stakeholders, they are committed to green recycling to ensure that all the ships are recycled in most sustainable, environmentally friendly way and safe way.

Why only the green recycling process?

There is a range of benefits associated with this process and some of them are listed below.

1- This process ensures proper disposal of hazardous materials that pose great threats to the whole ecosystem. Because of the improper disposal of the toxins in the water, a huge amount of marine life has get negatively impacted from it which can result in the death of a huge number of water bodies which is a very big loss to our ecosystem. Green recycling prevents such a huge loss from taking place.

2- Extraction of the steel. Almost the whole ship is made up of steel and once the ship reaches the end stage, recycled steel can be collected in a huge amount which can be further sent to various industries as a raw material that can easily meet the different demands.

3- Helps to recycle and reuse valuable materials like all fittings and equipment like cables, furniture, communication system, lifting tackles, fire extinguishers, refrigerators, etc are taken out from the vessels.

4. Causes minimal negative impact on environment and ensures safety of workers.

Yes, there are many challenges associated with ship recycling but the benefits are also guaranteed if proper recycling processes are followed. Green recycling unquestionably is the only right process to carry out a safe and environmentally sound ship breaking.