Final Report Summary - SHIPDISMANTL (Cost effective and environmentally sound dismantling of obsolete vessels)
The removal and disposal of hazardous materials in the ship dismantling process is a primary environmental concern, as well as a health and safety concern for the workers. One of the main steps throughout this process is to systematically prepare an inventory of hazardous materials, including their identification, physical location onboard and marking. The definition of the inventory, regarding its contents and form, is generally not obvious as it is depended on the purpose of being prepared and the way which is intended to be used.
The proposed model of inventory brings up to the surface those facts about the materials and their location on board together with other material properties which are significant for the potential risks concerning the workers health and the environmental protection. It points out especially material related aspects which are difficult to be immediately recognised but important to know their existence prior to the start of the dismantling process.
A central point in that discussion has been whether a certain form of inventory should be mandatory and how it should be coordinated between the national and international legislation. How to share the responsibility of preparing the Inventory between the involved parts and what is the right time to perform it, constitute some of the objects of the recent international discussion.
The proposed model of inventory brings up to the surface those facts about the materials and their location on board together with other material properties which are significant for the potential risks concerning the workers health and the environmental protection. It points out especially material related aspects which are difficult to be immediately recognised but important to know their existence prior to the start of the dismantling process.
A central point in that discussion has been whether a certain form of inventory should be mandatory and how it should be coordinated between the national and international legislation. How to share the responsibility of preparing the Inventory between the involved parts and what is the right time to perform it, constitute some of the objects of the recent international discussion.
