There are many things that need to be done from the time decision is made to recycle the tanker up to completion of tanker recycling. It is for this reason that Ship Owners work with specialist in the business. However, in order to broadly demonstrate care and caution to be taken to meet legal requirements as well as ensure safety of environment and workers, we briefly state the steps below:

Step 1 – Contract for tanker recycling

While Hong Kong Convention for Safe and environmentally sound recycling of ships, 2009 (HKC) has not yet come into force, guidelines specified by HKC are followed by many Ship owners as well as Ship recyclers on a voluntary basis. As per Hong Kong Convection and its guidelines, tanker specific recycling plan (SSRP), Statement of Compliance (SOC) of Ship recycling Facility should be listed properly.

Step 2 – Inventory of hazardous materials preparation

The inventory of hazardous materials should be prepared by a trained and professional expert which should cover all hazardous materials as per rules and regulations.

Step 3 – Recycling plan development

Ship recycling plan (SRP) should be developed in accordance to the MEPC.196 (62).  SRP spells out entire ship recycling process including handling of hazardous materials as per IHM.

Step 4 – Recycling plan approval process

Since HKC has not yet come into force, SRP is presently reviewed and approved by Ship Owners or their representatives. SRP can be submitted locally by the Ship recycling Facility as per prevailing local regulation in the country of Ship Recycling facility.

Step 5 – Final survey by class

When HKC comes into force, the final survey of the tanker shall be conducted before all the green ship recycling activity starts. It is vital that the survey follows all the rules and regulations stated in MEPC. 222[64]. After successful completion of the survey, an IRCC is issued to the ship owner. All of the important documents that are required to be submitted for the survey are IHM, approved recycling plan and a valid SRF document of authorization of ship recycling.

Step 6 – Report and start of ship recycling

The SRF then receives the tanker and commences the tanker recycling process as per SRP.

Step 7 – Statement of Completion

After completion of the ship recycling, the SRF then issues a statement of completion with a report on all the incidents and/or accidents that can damage human lives and environment. This report is sent to the ship owner and Competent Authority. All the stakeholders that are involved in the process gets a copy of statement of completion.