The European Parliament's Committee on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety (ENVI) voted on November 4 to object to the European Commission's proposal to add two Indian yards to the European list of ship recycling facilities.
The objection was adopted by 48 votes to 26 with five abstentions. It concerns Shree Ram Vessel Scrap and YSI Recyclers, both at Alang-Sosiya in Gujarat. Both yards dismantle end-of-life ships by beaching them on tidal mudflats.
The motion urges the commission to pull back its draft implementing decision for the 16th edition of the list.
It asks for a replacement that excludes the two facilities, arguing that the yards fall short of ship recycling and downstream waste-management requirements.
European Shipowners (ECSA) supports adding the two yards to the list, arguing in its October position paper that individual assessments and inspections had established their compliance with EU requirements.
The association also said European recycling facilities mainly serve local and offshore markets and lack the space and workflows needed to handle large ocean-going merchant ships at scale.
Since December 31, 2018, EU-flagged ships covered by the Ship Recycling Regulation have been required to use facilities on the European List, which may be located inside or outside the EU.
