Ship recycling : analysis of hazardous materials onboard
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Keywords
Ship recycling ; Hazardous materialsAbstract
This diploma thesis investigates the occurence and distribution of hazardous materials on board vessels through a comprehensive analysis of Inventory of Hazardous Materials (IHM) reports. The analysis focuses on identifying common hazardous substances, their frequency, and their correlation with ship characteristics such as gross tonnage (GT), ship type, year of build, and country of construction. A total sample of 216 vessels was studied, encompassing a variety of ship types, construction origins, and timelines.
The methodology is grounded in data extraction and categorization from certified IHM reports, followed by quantitative analysis using Microsoft Excel. Hazardous materials such as asbestos (ASB), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), mercury (Hg), ozone-depleting substances (ODS), lead compounds (Pb), Organotin compounds (TBT) and hexavalent chromium were tracked. Detection patterns were assessed against regulatory milestones set by international conventions and regulations including the Basel Convention, Hong Kong Convention, EU Ship Recycling Regulation (EU SRR), Stockholm Convention, Rotterdam Convention, and relevant ILO standards.
The results show that although regulatory benchmarks have influenced hazardous material usage & presence on board, many substances persist across ship types and ages. The analysis further indicates variability in detection rates based on ship type, shipbuilder country, and gross tonnage category. Despite international efforts, hazardous material containment remains an active concern in maritime safety and environmental protection.
The study concludes by emphasizing the importance of timely and thorough IHM reporting, stricter regulatory compliance, and the alignment of global conventions to achieve environmentally sound ship recycling and improved occupational health conditions for workers in the industry.