Turkey introduces stricter environmental and safety regulations for ship recycling enterprises

The Ministries of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, as well as the Turkish Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, have published a new decree regulating the issuance of permits, operation, inspection and enforcement of requirements for ship recycling facilities in accordance with the Hong Kong International Convention on the Safe and Environmentally Sound Disposal of Ships, 2009. The Regulation applies to ship recycling facilities operating in Turkey, as well as, in certain circumstances, to certain public enterprises engaged in ship recycling activities outside the scope of the Convention.

The move followed calls from organizations such as the European Steel Manufacturers Association (EUROFER), Recycling Europe, and the NGO Shipbreaking Platform for stricter oversight of ship recycling facilities outside the EU andto exclude Turkish ship recycling facilities from the EU-approved recycling list until environmental and operational standards are adopted. improved,, as previously reported by SteelOrbis.

Strengthening permits and operational requirements

According to the new structure, ship recycling enterprises must obtain permission from the relevant ministry before carrying out recycling activities. To obtain a permit, enterprises must prepare a Ship Recycling Facility Plan (SRFP), which describes operational procedures and organizational structures, as well as a Ship Recycling Plan (SRP) for each vessel scheduled for dismantling. Each SRP must receive approval from the ministry before processing operations can begin.

Enterprises that meet the documentation requirements and undergo on-site inspections will receive a Ship Recycling Permit Certificate valid for up to five years. The certificate is linked to a specific object and is not transferable. The decree requires operators to create management systems focused on environmental protection and occupational safety. Hazardous materials and waste must be handled in accordance with environmental legislation, and enterprises must provide employee training, personal protective equipment, and emergency response procedures.

The Resolution introduces detailed requirements for environmental monitoring. Enterprises should conduct annual monitoring of seawater, sediments and marine life.