- Over 100 participants from various sectors worldwide met in Lisbon on October 9-10 for the NGO Shipbreaking Platform’s Ship Recycling Lab, focusing on sustainable ship recycling.
- The event showcased companies and initiatives already practicing eco-friendly ship recycling, as well as research and policy efforts to scale up these sustainable methods.
- Emerging strategies include Brazil’s new “off the beach” policy by Petrobras and Bahrain’s dry-dock recycling project by Elegant Exit Company. In Europe, Lisnave plans to add recycling to its operations at the Setubal yard.
On October 9-10, the NGO Shipbreaking Platform hosted the second Ship Recycling Lab in Lisbon, bringing together over 100 participants, including recyclers, ship owners, policymakers, researchers, and environmental advocates from around the world. The event focused on advancing environmental responsibility and leveraging innovative technologies to promote sustainable ship recycling. It featured companies already engaging in eco-friendly practices, along with new research and policy efforts aimed at scaling up these initiatives.
Sustainable practices
New approaches for safe and sustainable ship recycling are emerging worldwide, from Brazil to the Middle East. Elegant Exit Company shared insights from its first ship recycling project at a dry dock in Bahrain, while Petrobras unveiled a new “off the beach” policy and pilot projects aimed at expanding Brazil’s domestic ship recycling capacity. In Europe, Lisnave announced plans to incorporate recycling into its repair and maintenance services at the Setubal yard.
Participants showed strong interest in the sector’s potential to support circular economy and climate goals. Discussions included the prospects for establishing a ship recycling hub in Northern Germany, driven by scrap steel demand. EuRIC, the European Recycling Industries’ Confederation, introduced a new working group to advocate for stricter safety and environmental standards in the upcoming revision of the EU Ship Recycling Regulation, ensuring a fair competitive landscape.
Technological advancements
The Lab also highlighted cutting-edge technologies such as plasma and water cutting as alternatives to traditional gas cutting, and tools like RFID tracking and blockchain for managing Inventories of Hazardous Materials. AF Offshore Decom presented its innovative upcycling of decommissioned assets, generating certified second-hand steel with 95% lower CO2 emissions for the construction industry. Other projects, including SHEREC, Circles of Life, ReCab, and ShipRec, shared advancements in circular economy practices, such as material passports and AI integration.
The International Association of Oil & Gas Producers (IOGP) introduced new guidelines for FSO and FPSO decommissioning, setting industry standards by banning substandard scrapping methods like beaching and avoiding transactions with cash buyers.
The event also addressed sustainable industrial practices that protect coastal ecosystems and ocean health. The International Finance Corporation (IFC), part of the World Bank, discussed how blue bonds could finance sustainable ship recycling, aiming to integrate the practice into global sustainable finance frameworks. Improving traceability of scrap steel and supply chain quality was identified as crucial to adding value and aiding the steel industry’s transition toward decarbonization targets.
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Source: NGO Shipbreaking Platform
