On 30 November 2018, the European Commission issued implementing decision No 2018/1906to update the European List of ship recycling facilities established pursuant to Regulation (EU) No 1257/2013.

Under article 6 of the Regulation, the recycling of ships flying the flags of Member States of the Union – amounting to the 35% of the world fleet – can be carried out, as of 31 December 2018, only in the approved facilities enlisted in the European List of ship recycling facilities. This list will be periodically updated by the Commission. On the basis of article 13 of the Regulation, facilities willing to be included in the European list shall comply with certain requirements relating to the safety of workers and the environment and having been granted an authorization to recycle by the authorities of the State where the facility is located. The Commission, following its inspections and assisted by a committee, decides on interested parties’ applications.

Following the latest update, the European List counts 26 distinct facilities. It comprises – for the first time since its establishment – three recycling facilities located outside the European Union, two of them located in İzmir (Turkey), the remaining one in Brownsville (TX, USA). Also three new European facilities have been included in the List, they are located in Turku (Finland), Genoa (Italy) and Grenå (Denmark).

Davide Scavuzzo