1. The Basel Convention and its application to ship dismantling Multi-country workshop on management of ship dismantling and related hazardous waste 15-16 April 2013, Bratislava, Slovakia Susan Wingfield, Programme Officer UNEP Secretariat of the Basel, Rotterdam & Stockholm Conventions

2. Contents Environmental risks associated with ship dismantling / breaking / scrapping/ recycling Basel’s involvement in ship recycling What is the status quo? COP 11 and beyond Global Programme for Sustainable Ship Recycling

3. Environmental risks and concerns Ship recycling: activity itself is a sustainable way of disposing of end-of-life vessels Risks to environment and workers related to the ship recycling methodology employed Concern over hazardous materials onboard ships and their safe management Implications for human health and the environment which are intrinsically linked

4. Beaching: Bangladesh

11. Beaching: cause for concern Prevalent in Bangladesh, India and Pakistan Standards vary between countries, and between facilities Often limited use of PPE, exposure to hazardous materials and unsafe working conditions Large inter-tidal zones (particularly in India and Bangladesh): suitable for beaching, difficult for containment of hazards Improvements witnessed in past 5 years

12. Slipway breaking: Turkey

14. Slipway breaking: improved control Turkey: approx. 20 facilities in short stretch of coastline Small tidal range, ‘control’ of inter-tidal zone Hard-standing areas, permanent drainage systems, containment booms Prominent role for Ship Recyclers’ Association of Turkey, e.g. in waste management activities

15. Alongside: China

17. Alongside: Benefits “Top down” recycling approach, containment provided by hull of ship Pier provides hard standing areas for secondary dismantling Containment areas for storage and/or treatment of hazardous materials Strong regulation of facilities in China, control of process from ship dismantling to disposal of hazardous materials

18. Hazardous materials/wastes These have the key impact on the environment (and human health) Mismanagement can have devastating effects for workers, surrounding communities and the local environment What are the main hazards onboard ships?

19. Asbestos All forms are hazardous It does not dissolve in water or evaporate It is resistant to heat, fire, chemical and biological degradation When broken up, fine fibres are released into the air which can be inhaled or swallowed The fine fibres can be dispersed to the surrounding environment and communities Asbestosis = scars on lungs, breathing problems, lung cancer May not show for 20-30 years

20. Heavy metals May contain or be coated with toxic materials Fumes and particles can be inhaled and swallowed which accumulate in blood and bones Some heavy metals bioaccumulate Metal fumes disperse through air to surrounding environment Leach into the ground and water Accumulates in fish and shellfish Brain, kidney, heart and nervous system damage Children very susceptible to poisoning

21. PCB Toxic in original form Even more toxic when heated (i.e. Gas cutting, cable burning) Fumes can be inhaled, swallowed, absorbed through skin Bioaccumulate Hard to recycle and dispose of Spread to surrounding environment through air, soil, wildlife Cancer Liver, brain, immune system damage Affect unborn children

22. Oils and fuels Oils and fuels themselves are toxic Oily waste from cleaning operations is also toxic Inhalation of fumes Consumption of contaminated fish and water Contaminate surrounding environment, fish, birds, other marine life Fire hazard Causes explosions Burns and loss of life due to explosions Breathing problems Organ failure

23. Other hazardous components Paints and coatings (containing PCBs, heavy metals, TBT) Bilge and ballast water (containing hydrocarbons, biocides, heavy metals, non- indigenous organisms) Cargo residues (containing chemicals, oils, gases) Other chemicals and flame retardants (antifreeze fluids, compressed gases, CFCs)

24. Involvement in Ship Dismantling On BC agenda since late 1990s Technical Guidelines on ship dismantling adopted in 2002 –ESM –Mitigating environmental risks –Recommended design, construction, operation and control procedures

25. Other existing standards IMO (2003) and ILO (2004) Guidelines Other Basel Guidelines on certain waste streams/disposal methodologies: –POPs wastes –PCBs –Mercury –Waste oils –Landfill –Incineration

26. Involvement in Ship Dismantling Decision VII/26 (COP 7 in 2004): “a ship may become waste as defined in Article 2 of the Basel Convention and at the same time may be defined as a ship under other international rules” Decision VII/26 (paraphrased): Invites the IMO to continue work aimed at the establishment of mandatory requirements to ensure ESM of ship dismantling (should be an equivalent level of control to the Basel Convention)

27. Involvement in Ship Dismantling IMO Assembly resolution in 2005: New legally- binding instrument on Ship Recycling Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships adopted in May 2009 at a Diplomatic Conference

28. Equivalent level of control? Some points of contention (“no equivalent level of control” camp): Exclusion of certain types of ships No import or export prohibitions Where is traceability / transparency of hazardous materials? Weaker prior notification and consent system No prevention of illegal traffic and duty to re-import

29. Equivalent level of control? Decision BC-10/17 (COP 10 in 2011) No consensus on equivalent level of control Parties encouraged to ratify Hong Kong Convention Basel should continue to assist countries to apply the Convention as it relates to ships Develop capacity building programmes

30. Status quo State of uncertainty –Unclear on question of equivalency –Currently no Hong Kong ratifications –Basel Convention should “continue to assist countries to apply to Basel Convention as it relates to ships”: …? Or is it? –Parties can apply and enforce the Basel Convention –Regional solution(s): e.g. European regulations –Ratifications of the Hong Kong Convention are imminent?

31. Boundary issues: Hong Kong & Basel Regulations 20.3 and 20.4 of Hong Kong: –Ensure safe and ESM of all hazardous materials and wastes –Identify waste management and disposal sites –Wastes generated transferred to authorised management facility

32. Boundary issues: Hong Kong & Basel Article 4 on ESM under Basel: –Minimise generation of hazardous wastes –Availability of adequate waste disposal facilities –Prevention of pollution and minimisation of consequences for human health and environment –Authorisation for those transporting or disposing of hazardous waste

33. Boundary issues: Interface HKC:BC Important for the ship recycling facility and the downstream waste treatment to be compatible. Operations such as: -Storage -Treatment may be carried out at both the ship recycling facility site and elsewhere but: -Advanced treatment -Incineration -Landfilling Will usually be carried out off-site (Basel Convention transposed into national legislation)

34. COP 11 and beyond Basel COP 11: April/May 2013 Ship dismantling on the agenda: –Focus on developments within the IMO (i.e. Hong Kong Convention guidelines) and Basel’s capacity building programme A key focus of the Basel COP: –Improving effectiveness of the Basel Convention – i.e. entry into force of the Ban Amendment and further defining/clarifying ESM

35. COP 11 and beyond Secretariat approach to act on the mandate given by our Parties: –contribute expertise e.g. hazardous waste management at facilities and downstream: Basel principle of ESM will continue to apply (HKC:BC interface) –participation in international dialogue –capacity building

36. Global Programme for Sustainable Ship Recycling Developed by SBC in 2007 encourage collaboration to improve worker health and safety and environmental conditions in ship recycling countries Variety of technical capacity building activities undertaken at Basel Parties’ request: building intellectual capital

37. Global Programme for Sustainable Ship Recycling Technology & Knowledge Transfer Workshop: building partnerships Guidance and train-the-trainer materials for (i) management and supervisors at ship recycling facilities and (ii) competent authorities Feasibility study: cost-effective alternatives to the beaching method of ship recycling All available on Basel website

38. Global Programme for Sustainable Ship Recycling New project commencing June 2013: –Inventories of Hazardous Waste to be developed for Chittagong, Bangladesh and Gadani/Hub, Pakistan regions – taking into account both ship recycling and other industrial activities in the region –Development of business cases to enhance downstream capacity for ESM of hazardous materials – basis for loans/investment/public- private partnerships to develop infrastructure

39. Conclusion Basel Convention is an effective instrument for regulating global waste trade Hong Kong Convention specifically tailored to ship recycling issue No consensus on equivalency: co-existence of two instruments Current efforts to improve effectiveness of the Basel Convention: focus on ESM Basel contribution to capacity building within areas of its competency will continue

40. For further information Visit the Basel Convention Website: www.basel.int Tel: [+41 22] 917 8406 Fax: [+41 22] 797 3454 Email: susan.wingfield@unep.org