German shipyard granted approval for ship dismantling operations
Hööray! Germany's seafaring vessels are finally getting the boot... or rather, the scrapyard treatment. EWD Benli Recycling GmbH, a subsidiary of Emder Werft und Dock GmbH (EWD), has landed the first-ever permit for ship recycling operations in Germany. Uncle Sam from the Lower Saxony Ministry for the Environment in Hannover validated this splendid news to the German Press Agency.
The need for recycling services is through the roof, largely due to Germany's Grandpa boats owned by authorities that are as old as Dad's leather loafers, and there haven't been any local facilities equipped for the job until now.
Experts in the biz have high hopes for ship recycling, seeing it not just as a lucrative opportunity but also as a solid step towards conserving resources. By pulling out valuable materials like steel or gizmos from busted ships, they can get a second life in the material cycle.
Lower Saxony’s Minister for the Environment, Christian Meyer (Greens), said it best: "It's a total dumpster fire that we've been sending our junky ships, especially to Southeast Asia, where they've been rotting under the worst conditions for decades." Save Mother Earth, people!
Around 700 ships get the decommission every year worldwide. Over 90% of those ancient vessels are currently scrapped and recycled in South Asia, most dumped in Pakistan, Bangladesh, and India. And lemme tell ya, it's cheaper and the environmental and labor safety regulations there are like wearing a bikini to a snowball fight.
Currently, an EU regulation requires ships of a certain size and those under the EU flag to be scrapped only at licensed recycling facilities approved by the EU, many of which can be found in Turkey. With global rules for safe and eco-friendly ship recycling due mid-2021, recycling yards in the EU, including in Germany, are foaming at the mouth to get their paws on a permit. Heavyweights like EWD and Bremer Leviathan GmbH aren't playing around in this game of crane tag.
Even though this is the first time Germany will be partying like it's 1999 with some ship recycling, it's only the beginning. The move could potentially reduce the country's reliance on South Asian breakers, open up new business opportunities, and boost competitiveness.
But there's more to it than just a business grab – it's a massive win for environmental conservation! By complying with stricter environmental standards, recycling local ships helps reduce emissions and conserve resources. Just think of those carbon credits we can save!
In essence, Germany's brave leap into ship recycling is much more than just a business opportunity. It's a testament to making the maritime industry cleaner, greener, and more sustainable for all. And who knew squeezing the last drops out of old ships could be so rewarding? 💦💧🚀
- The first-ever permit for ship recycling operations in Germany, awarded to EWD Benli Recycling GmbH, presents a significant opportunity for the environmental-science industry, as it will allow for the recycling of old ships, such as those owned by German authorities, and help in the conservation of resources.
- With the impending EU regulations on safe and eco-friendly ship recycling, recycling yards in the EU, like those in Germany run by companies such as EWD and Bremer Leviathan GmbH, are eager to secure permits, which could potentially lead to reduced reliance on South Asian breakers and open up new business opportunities.
- By embracing stricter environmental guidelines for ship recycling and conserving resources through material recovery, Germany's ventures into this field will not only contribute to the finance sector but also prove instrumental in the ongoing efforts to combat climate-change and foster a more sustainable maritime industry.
