https://arab.news/gx3xx
- Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships and Decent Work Project holds first workshop in Karachi
- Pakistan is among top five ship recycling nations in the world, new project builds on ongoing project in Bangladesh
ISLAMABAD: The International Maritime Organization has launched a new project to promote sustainable ship recycling in Pakistan, one of the top five ship recycling nations in the world.
The Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships and Decent Work (SENSREC-DW) Project held its first workshop in Karachi last month, following IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez’s first official visit to the South Asian country.
“The new project is a collaboration between the IMO and the International Labour Organization (ILO), aimed at enhancing safety and environmental responsibility in the ship recycling industry, while upholding global labor rights standards,” the IMO said in a statement.
The primary focus of the workshop, which gathered approximately 150 people representing stakeholders from various sectors, was how to ensure compliance with international standards outlined in the Hong Kong Convention, the Basel Convention and ILO treaties, and strategies for improving working conditions, especially in developing countries, given the high risks associated with shipbreaking activities.
Participants outlined specific objectives and activities for the project, emphasizing the need for capacity building and training programs tailored to local contexts. They took part in a technical visit to ship recycling yards in Gadani, Baluchistan, to learn from the field and observe some of the key challenges faced by the industry.
“The outcomes of their discussions will guide the implementation of initiatives designed to promote decent work and sustainable practices in ship recycling facilities across Pakistan,” the IMO said.
The Hong Kong Convention, adopted in 2009, is designed to ensure that ships are recycled without posing risks to human health or the environment. It mandates that ships carry an Inventory of Hazardous Materials and that recycling facilities develop a specific Ship Recycling Plan for each vessel. The Convention is set to enter into force on June 26, 2025 and aims to enhance safety standards across the global ship recycling industry.
SENSREC-DW builds on the ongoing SENSEREC project in Bangladesh, first launched in 2015.