The high number of worn out vessels in the country makes “recycling of vessels” necessary
Mojtaba Zuljudi; deputy the environment Marines and Wetlands of the Environmental Protection Organization in a conversation with Moj news agency regarding the environmental issues of scrap (recycling of vessels) stated: With the increase in the number of worn out and obsolete vessels over the past years, the demand for the scrapping and scrapping of old and worn out ships has increased greatly. It was found that due to the lack of environmental standards for the scrapping of vessels and widespread pollution caused by ship scrapping operations, the unauthorized scrapping of some old ships caused pollution on the beaches and environmental problems in these areas.
He continued: The papers of a ship are associated with the production of a large amount of waste. Some of these wastes are useful and some are very harmful. In most harmful wastes, very dangerous toxic substances (both for humans and for the environment) are found in large quantities. Pollutants include those resulting from ship scrapping operations and activities resulting from the establishment of people and industry in the area.
The deputy of the Environmental Protection Organization stated: In the past years, all unauthorized scrapping processes were carried out in offshore environments (tidal, supratidal and Khoriat areas), which are among the most sensitive biological areas in marine environments. This has also been done in areas that have a muddy bed and a gentle slope, which is due to the lack of influence of the energy caused by waves and the relative calmness of the sea to carry out activities.
Zuljudi stated: Since the beginning of the ship scrapping industry, its effects and environmental consequences have become visible and the entry of various pollutants such as oil, asbestos, PCB, dioxins and various health hazards and even human deaths have plagued this industry and this is the same. It caused the title of “dirty industry” to be applied to this type of operation and to be known by this name in the world. About 95% of the weight of an ocean liner is recyclable, which is used in the scrapping process.
Referring to the materials that are being reused for ship recycling, he said: Metals, plastic, furniture, cardboard, wood and glass, kitchen utensils, engines, generators, etc. are among the materials and equipment that are reused. they take. In the meantime, the pollution resulting from the amount of waste materials in tankers is less, but due to the type of tanker pollution, which is mainly petroleum, it creates more environmental risks.
The vice president of marine environment and wetlands of the Environmental Protection Organization stated: It should be noted that the pollution emitted from ships varies depending on the type of ship, its lifespan, the scrapping method, and materials that cannot be transported. For example, ships from the 1970s have the most dangerous waste materials, or ships that carry liquids such as oil tankers are among the most polluted vessels, but at the same time, they have a higher value in the scrap market than other ships.
Referring to the importance of ship papers in Iran, Zuljodi stated: The biggest initial demand for ship recycling in Iran is related to sunken vessels. Although it may not be feasible or cost-effective to extract all sunken ships, the existence of a recycling yard inside the country creates a great incentive to export these ships, considering the high costs of exporting these ships, spending double the cost of transporting them abroad Recycling direction is a big obstacle in this process.
He stated that the extraction and process of scrapping and recycling more than 160 sunken ships in the Persian Gulf and the Oman Sea and the Caspian Sea require well-equipped recycling sites with a relatively high capacity. The expiration of their useful life is another factor that has made the development of the ship recycling industry in the country a necessity.
The deputy of the Environmental Protection Organization added: Also, the high cost of steel production, as a result of the processing of iron ore minerals, as opposed to the recycling of steel from ships’ sheets, and the disproportion between the amount of production and demand in the country, along with the global increase in the price of this strategic metal and The problems related to its import from abroad have justified the country’s need to establish ship recycling facilities and sites more than before.
He stated: In this regard, considering the pollution caused by this activity, it is very necessary to systematize and organize the scrapping of ships under environmental rules and standards in order to minimize pollution and also prevent violations and unauthorized activities.
Zuljudi explained about the measures taken regarding the organization and environmental management of the scrapping and recycling of vessels: formulation, approval and notification of the environmental rules for the recycling of vessels by the Environmental Protection Organization to the executive bodies in July 1401, and review, audit and evaluation Shipbuilding sites applying for licensing and organizing them are important steps in this field.
He continued: If a number of these sites provide documentation and complete the necessary infrastructure and facilities, and cover the necessary criteria and requirements, they will acquire the authority to obtain a license to carry out the process of recycling and scrapping vessels on a case-by-case basis, and in this way, a major part of violations and unauthorized scrapping. The floats and environmental pollution and damage caused by it will be organized and removed.
The Deputy Director of Marine Environment and Wetlands of the Environmental Protection Organization reminded: Most of the sites selected for scrapping were re-examined and field visited during 1401 and the infrastructure and facilities were created and the necessary certificates were reviewed and evaluated that some of these sites (two sites in Bushehr and a site in Gilan) have more suitable conditions and can obtain the necessary license if some defects are fixed and the infrastructure is completed. Actions and correspondence to complete the infrastructure and fix the defects and provide certificates have been done and are being followed up.
Zuljodi said: Unlicensed sites were visited and investigated, which were involved in floating paper making and recycling, and action was taken to deal with the violators in cooperation with the provincial administrations.
He pointed out that with the inspections of some of the inspected sites and complexes, they have completed a large part of the necessary requirements and infrastructure, and if they complete the other requirements and obtain the relevant certificates, they will probably be able to obtain the environmental permit for the recycling of vessels on a case-by-case basis. In this case, this activity will be carried out systematically and under the supervision of the organization and in compliance with the requirements, and unauthorized demolition operations and the resulting pollution will be prevented.