Ship Recycling

EU Commission Amends Hazardous Materials Inventory Certificate Format for Ship Recycling

The European Commission has adopted Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/121 updating the standard certificate format used to attest inventories of hazardous materials on ships under the EU Ship Recycling Regulation. This change means shipowners, flag administrations and classification societies must migrate to a single certificate template that is recognised under both EU and Hong Kong Convention rules, simplifying documentation and reducing risk of non-compliance during inspections and recycling.

5 May 2026, 06:57eur-lex.europa.euEuropean Union

Netherlands Court of Appeal Convicts Shipping CFO for Illegal Waste Shipment of Two Vessels to Turkey

In January 2026 the Hague Court of Appeal convicted a shipping group’s financial director for leading illegal shipments of two end-of-life vessels from EU ports to Turkey in breach of the EU Waste Shipment Regulation, imposing a fully suspended fine. The ruling clarifies that ships become waste once a company decides to scrap them, EVOA notification duties cannot be sidestepped by routing via non-EU ports, and later EU ship recycling rules do not erase earlier criminal exposure, raising compliance stakes for EU shipowners.

3 May 2026, 07:20uitspraken.rechtspraak.nlNetherlandsTürkiye

Basel Convention OEWG‑15 Consults On Updated Technical Guidelines For POP, E‑Waste, Battery, Tyre And Mercury Wastes

In March 2026 the Basel Convention’s Open-ended Working Group launched consultations on a broad package of updated technical guidelines for POP wastes, e-waste, batteries, tyres, mercury wastes and related hazardous waste streams ahead of its June 2026 meeting. These non-binding but influential texts will shape future expectations for classification, recycling and disposal under the Basel regime, so organisations handling such wastes should monitor OEWG-15 outcomes and consider contributing comments by 31 July 2026 through their national delegations.

24 Apr 2026, 09:46docs.un.orgGlobal

Basel Convention OEWG‑15 Issues Secretariat Note on Cooperation With IMO on Ship Recycling Guidance

The Basel Convention Secretariat has issued working document UNEP/CHW/OEWG.15/13 for the June 2026 OEWG-15 meeting, presenting revised provisional guidance and an explanatory note on implementing the Hong Kong and Basel conventions for transboundary movements of ships sent for recycling. This signals that Parties are moving towards more harmonised rules on ship recycling and hazardous-waste shipments, so shipowners, recyclers, and waste-compliance teams should anticipate future COP-18 decisions that may tighten or clarify obligations on exporting end-of-life vessels.

24 Apr 2026, 09:05docs.un.orgGlobal

Netherlands Court Of Appeal Convicts Shipowner For Illegal Waste Shipment Of Two Ships To Turkey

In January 2026, the Netherlands Court of Appeal convicted a shipping company for two illegal exports of end-of-life vessels to a Turkish shipbreaking yard under EU waste shipment rules. The ruling clarifies when ships become waste and confirms that decommissioning and scrap-sale preparations trigger cross-border waste notification duties, raising enforcement risk for ship recycling routes that attempt to bypass EU oversight.

22 Apr 2026, 12:25uitspraken.rechtspraak.nlNetherlandsFranceSpainTürkiyeEuropean Union

Italy Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport Adopts Decree 409/2026 Updating Ship Recycling Certificates

Italy has mandated updated certificate templates for ship recycling and hazardous material inventories to align with new EU standards, effective April 2026. Operators of Italian-flagged vessels must transition to these new formats to maintain compliance and ensure smooth port state control inspections.

6 Apr 2026, 16:32guardiacostiera.gov.itItaly

Belgium (Wallonia) Amends Port State Control Order To Implement EU Directive 2024/3099

Wallonia has updated its port state control framework to implement EU Directive 2024/3099, effective March 2026. Maritime operators face expanded inspection scopes and stricter reporting requirements for safety and environmental anomalies across international conventions.

29 Mar 2026, 17:46eur-lex.europa.euBelgium

England: Environment Agency Withdraws LRWP 44 and Links to RPS 364 on Small Boats and Barges

The Environment Agency has transitioned the regulatory framework for storing and dismantling small boats from a low-risk waste position to Regulatory Position Statement 364. Operators must immediately align with the specific conditions of the new statement to maintain permit exemptions and mitigate the risk of enforcement for unauthorized waste activities.

9 Mar 2026, 18:24gov.ukUnited Kingdom

England: Environment Agency Issues RPS 364 on Storing and Dismantling Small Boats and Barges

The Environment Agency has introduced a temporary enforcement waiver for the storage and dismantling of small boats in England, effective until December 2028. This regulatory easement simplifies operational compliance for low-volume sites while maintaining strict exclusions for hazardous materials like asbestos and requiring robust fluid containment.

9 Mar 2026, 18:23gov.ukUnited Kingdom

European Commission Adopts EU Industrial Maritime Strategy Communication (COM(2026) 111 Final)

The European Commission has adopted the EU Industrial Maritime Strategy, establishing a 2030 roadmap to scale high-value shipbuilding and accelerate maritime decarbonization. This framework signals a forthcoming wave of legislative and funding initiatives that will mandate cleaner operations, circularity, and enhanced safety standards across the maritime value chain.

9 Mar 2026, 17:01transport.ec.europa.euEuropean Union

Netherlands: Rotterdam District Court Upholds Asbestos Fines Under Working Conditions Decree

The Rotterdam District Court recently upheld substantial fines against a recycling firm for failing to conduct mandatory asbestos surveys and using uncertified personnel during dismantling operations. This ruling reinforces strict employer liability for site investigations and confirms that companies cannot rely on informal third-party assurances to bypass formal hazardous substance compliance and reporting obligations.

4 Mar 2026, 15:54deeplink.rechtspraak.nlNetherlands

IMO Launches Global Campaign To Put Maritime Policy Into Practice

The International Maritime Organization has launched a two-year global initiative to accelerate the enforcement of maritime safety and environmental standards through 2027. Businesses should anticipate intensified regulatory oversight and more consistent global compliance requirements for decarbonization, alternative fuel safety, and ship recycling.

13 Feb 2026, 14:57imo.orgGlobal

Turkey Environment Ministry Fines Illegal Ship Dismantling On Urla Coast

Turkish authorities have imposed significant administrative fines and criminal complaints following unauthorized ship dismantling and illegal waste storage on the İzmir coast. This enforcement action signals intensified regulatory oversight of ship recycling operations and waste management compliance, increasing legal and financial risks for unauthorized maritime activities.

29 Jan 2026, 19:22csb.gov.trTürkiye

European Commission Adopts Implementing Decisions on 'Ready for Recycling' and Hazardous Materials Certificate Formats

The European Commission has established mandatory harmonized formats for ship recycling and hazardous material inventory certificates to ensure administrative consistency across the EU. Shipowners and operators must update internal compliance templates and reporting procedures to align with these standardized requirements ahead of the January 2026 implementation.

23 Jan 2026, 11:55environment.ec.europa.euEuropean Union

EU Commission Adopts Implementing Decision 2026/116 Updating 'Ready for Recycling' Certificate Format

The European Commission has standardized the mandatory certificate format for vessels ready for recycling under the EU Ship Recycling Regulation. Operators must adopt this updated administrative template to ensure seamless vessel decommissioning and maintain compliance with harmonized EU maritime waste standards.

20 Jan 2026, 19:48eur-lex.europa.euEuropean Union

EU Adopts Recast Regulation on the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA)

The European Union has expanded the European Maritime Safety Agency's mandate to include shipping decarbonization and environmental sustainability, effective January 2026. Maritime operators should prepare for enhanced technical oversight and stricter enforcement of EU climate rules, including FuelEU Maritime and the EU Emissions Trading System.

4 Jan 2026, 11:15eur-lex.europa.euEuropean UnionEuropean Economic Area

EU Circulates Revised Draft Comments On Basel–Hong Kong Ship Recycling Guidance

The EU has finalized its position on the interaction between the Basel and Hong Kong Conventions, opposing proposals to let the Hong Kong Convention bypass Basel's hazardous waste export controls for end-of-life ships. This stance reinforces the continued necessity of dual-compliance with both ship recycling standards and waste shipment procedures, including export bans to non-OECD countries.

22 Dec 2025, 17:37data.consilium.europa.euEuropean UnionGlobal

EU Commission Consults On 15th Edition Of European List Of Ship Recycling Facilities

The European Commission is updating the authorized list of global ship recycling facilities permitted to dismantle EU-flagged vessels. Operators must review these capacity changes to secure compliant decommissioning routes and mitigate legal risks associated with hazardous waste management and worker safety standards.

22 Dec 2025, 09:52ec.europa.euEuropean Union

Japan Opens Consultation on Amendments to Asbestos Regulations

Japan is broadening mandatory asbestos survey and reporting obligations for demolition and renovation projects starting January 2026. Companies must verify surveyor certifications and update compliance workflows to avoid operational delays and legal liability during site decommissioning.

4 Sept 2025, 15:06public-comment.e-gov.go.jpJapan

BRS Publish Schedule and Participation Guidance for 2025 BRS COPs Side Events

The 2025 BRS Conventions COPs will convene in April and May to address global management of PFAS, textile waste, and emerging pollutants. Outcomes from these negotiations will likely accelerate international restrictions on hazardous substances and waste, necessitating long-term adjustments to product composition and supply chain strategies.

8 Apr 2025, 09:27brsmeas.orgGlobal