In a big boost to India’s green shipbreaking credentials two recycling yards have been deemed by Japanese class society ClassNK to be in compliance with the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships, 2009 (HKC).
R. L. Kalthia Ship Breaking and Priya Blue Industries, both from Gujarat, received plaudits from Class NK for their upgrades to their facilities.
“Although the HKC has yet to enter into force, Kalthia and Priya Blue have both carried out substantial improvements to their facilities in a bid toward safer and greener ship recycling as well as developed the Ship Recycling Facility Plans (SRFPs) required for a competent authority’s certification according to the HKC,” ClassNK said in a release.
This marks the first time that any South Asian yards have been deemed to be in compliance with the HKC. It comes at a vital time for Indian breakers, who continue to fight claims that all the yards in South Asia are not environmentally friendly.
Earlier this month, US liner Matson declared it would no longer send ships to South Asia for recycling, a move that many other shipping lines are under pressure from NGOs to follow.
