Govt. brings Recycling of Ships Act, 2019 

The Recycling of Ships Bill, 2019 has become an Act after it received the assent of President. The government decided to bring this Act to provide for the regulation of recycling of ships by setting certain international standards and laying down the statutory mechanism for enforcement of such standards. The Government has also decided to accede to the HongKong International Convention for Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships, 2009. Accordingly, India has acceded to HongKong International Convention for Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships, 2009 on 28th November, 2019.

The Recycling of Ships Act, 2019 restricts and prohibits the use or installation of hazardous materials which applies irrespective of whether a ship is meant for recycling or not. For new ships, such restriction or prohibition on use of hazardous materials will be immediate, that is, from the date the legislation comes into force, while existing ships shall have a period of five years for compliance. Restriction or prohibition on use of hazardous materials would not be applied to warships and non-commercial ships operated by Government.Ships shall be surveyed and certified on the inventory of hazardous material sused in ships.

Under this Act, ship recycling facilities are required to be authorized andships shall be recycled only in such authorized ship recycling facilities.This Act also provides that ships shall be recycled in accordance with aship-specific recycling plan. Ships to be recycled in India shall be required toobtain a Ready for Recycling Certificate in accordance with the HKC.

Views:

This is appreciable enactment, not merely because it will improve the environment but it will also prove itself a very good tool for providing basic facilities and amenities to the labour class working there in shipbreaking yards with very poor living and working conditions, specially in Alang of Gujrat.