Inventory of hazardous materials
Encyclopedia
An Inventory of Hazardous Materials (also known as a Green Passport) is one of the requirements of the Hong Kong
convention for the ‘safe and environmentally sound recycling of ships’ (Hong Kong Convention) which was adopted in May 2009. The conference that created the convention was attended in 2009 by members of 63 countries, and overseen by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), which is a specialist agency of the United Nations
(U.N).
The Hong Kong Convention has been designed to try and improve the health and safety of current ship breaking
practices. At present this is a very dangerous practice, whereby large ships are beached and then dismantled by hand by workers with very little personal protective equipment
(PPE). This is most common in Asia
, with India
, Bangladesh
, China
, and Pakistan
holding the largest ship breaking yards:
The Hong Kong Convention recognised that ship recycling is the most environmentally sound way to dispose of a ship at the end of its life, as most of the ship’s materials can be reused. However, it sees current methods as unacceptable. The work sees many injuries and fatalities to workers, as they lack the correct safety equipment to handle the large ship correctly as it is dismantled and most vessels contain a large amount of hazardous materials such as Asbestos
, PCBs, TBT, and CFCs, which can also lead to highly life threatening diseases such as mesothelioma
and lung cancer
.
The Inventory of Hazardous Materials has been designed to try to minimise the dangers of these hazards. The Convention defines a hazard as: “any material or substance which is liable to create hazards to human health and/or the environment
”
All vessels that weigh over 500 tonnes that are in commercial service (the convention does not apply to warship
s or naval auxiliary) will have to comply with the Convention once it comes into force. Each party that does wish to comply must restrict the use of hazardous materials on all ships that fly the flag of that party.
New ships must all carry an Inventory of Hazardous Materials. The inventory will list all ‘hazardous materials’ on board the vessel, including their amounts and locations. Existing ships must comply no later than 5 years after the convention comes into force, or prior to being recycled if this occurs before the 5 year period. The inventory will remain with a vessel throughout its lifespan, being updated as all new installations enter the ship, as these may potentially contain hazards. The presence of the Inventory will then ensure the safety of crew members during the vessels working life, and also the safety of workers during the recycling process.
The convention held a fixed deadline
for states to sign up between 1 September 2009 and 31 August 2010, and after this remains open for accession. It will then become compulsory two years after “15 states, representing 40% of the world merchant shipping by gross tonnage have either signed it without reservation as to ratification
, acceptance or approval, or have deposited instruments of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession with the Secretary General”
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
convention for the ‘safe and environmentally sound recycling of ships’ (Hong Kong Convention) which was adopted in May 2009. The conference that created the convention was attended in 2009 by members of 63 countries, and overseen by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), which is a specialist agency of the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
(U.N).
The Hong Kong Convention has been designed to try and improve the health and safety of current ship breaking
Ship breaking
Ship breaking or ship demolition is a type of ship disposal involving the breaking up of ships for scrap recycling. Most ships have a lifespan of a few decades before there is so much wear that refitting and repair becomes uneconomical. Ship breaking allows materials from the ship, especially...
practices. At present this is a very dangerous practice, whereby large ships are beached and then dismantled by hand by workers with very little personal protective equipment
Personal protective equipment
Personal protective equipment refers to protective clothing, helmets, goggles, or other garment or equipment designed to protect the wearer's body from injury by blunt impacts, electrical hazards, heat, chemicals, and infection, for job-related occupational safety and health purposes, and in...
(PPE). This is most common in Asia
Asia
Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...
, with India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
, Bangladesh
Bangladesh
Bangladesh , officially the People's Republic of Bangladesh is a sovereign state located in South Asia. It is bordered by India on all sides except for a small border with Burma to the far southeast and by the Bay of Bengal to the south...
, China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
, and Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
holding the largest ship breaking yards:
The Hong Kong Convention recognised that ship recycling is the most environmentally sound way to dispose of a ship at the end of its life, as most of the ship’s materials can be reused. However, it sees current methods as unacceptable. The work sees many injuries and fatalities to workers, as they lack the correct safety equipment to handle the large ship correctly as it is dismantled and most vessels contain a large amount of hazardous materials such as Asbestos
Asbestos
Asbestos is a set of six naturally occurring silicate minerals used commercially for their desirable physical properties. They all have in common their eponymous, asbestiform habit: long, thin fibrous crystals...
, PCBs, TBT, and CFCs, which can also lead to highly life threatening diseases such as mesothelioma
Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma, more precisely malignant mesothelioma, is a rare form of cancer that develops from the protective lining that covers many of the body's internal organs, the mesothelium...
and lung cancer
Lung cancer
Lung cancer is a disease characterized by uncontrolled cell growth in tissues of the lung. If left untreated, this growth can spread beyond the lung in a process called metastasis into nearby tissue and, eventually, into other parts of the body. Most cancers that start in lung, known as primary...
.
The Inventory of Hazardous Materials has been designed to try to minimise the dangers of these hazards. The Convention defines a hazard as: “any material or substance which is liable to create hazards to human health and/or the environment
Natural environment
The natural environment encompasses all living and non-living things occurring naturally on Earth or some region thereof. It is an environment that encompasses the interaction of all living species....
”
All vessels that weigh over 500 tonnes that are in commercial service (the convention does not apply to warship
Warship
A warship is a ship that is built and primarily intended for combat. Warships are usually built in a completely different way from merchant ships. As well as being armed, warships are designed to withstand damage and are usually faster and more maneuvrable than merchant ships...
s or naval auxiliary) will have to comply with the Convention once it comes into force. Each party that does wish to comply must restrict the use of hazardous materials on all ships that fly the flag of that party.
New ships must all carry an Inventory of Hazardous Materials. The inventory will list all ‘hazardous materials’ on board the vessel, including their amounts and locations. Existing ships must comply no later than 5 years after the convention comes into force, or prior to being recycled if this occurs before the 5 year period. The inventory will remain with a vessel throughout its lifespan, being updated as all new installations enter the ship, as these may potentially contain hazards. The presence of the Inventory will then ensure the safety of crew members during the vessels working life, and also the safety of workers during the recycling process.
The convention held a fixed deadline
Time limit
A time limit or deadline is a narrow field of time, or particular point in time, by which an objective or task must be accomplished.In project management, deadlines are most often associated with milestone goals....
for states to sign up between 1 September 2009 and 31 August 2010, and after this remains open for accession. It will then become compulsory two years after “15 states, representing 40% of the world merchant shipping by gross tonnage have either signed it without reservation as to ratification
Ratification
Ratification is a principal's approval of an act of its agent where the agent lacked authority to legally bind the principal. The term applies to private contract law, international treaties, and constitutionals in federations such as the United States and Canada.- Private law :In contract law, the...
, acceptance or approval, or have deposited instruments of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession with the Secretary General”