Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina wants to take Bangladesh’s shipbreaking industry to a global standard, but the Department of Environment (DoE) is holding back this sector.
The DoE had previously designated the local shipbreaking industry as “Orange,” signifying its status as a sector with less-pollution. However, the department recently categorised this industry as “Red,” which designates the sector as a top-polluter.
This move is a disgrace to the memorandum of cooperation Bangladesh had signed with Japan during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s visit to that country. Moreover, the “Red” classification could jeopardize a loan deal with the Japan government for waste management.
These issues came to light as the Bangladesh Ship Breakers and Recyclers Association (BSBRA) exchanged views with the visiting Norwegian delegation at Chattogram’s Radisson Blu Bay View on Tuesday night.
At the programme, BSBRA members sought an end to the complication that had arisen due to DoE’s categorization of the shipbreaking industry as “Red.” The Norwegian delegation also sought support from the Bangladesh government to move this sector forward.
Industry leaders pointed out that the yards are mostly automated. Frequent workers’ deaths during the ship recycling process are a thing of the past as automation has taken over most of the work.
Workers used to carry iron, but machines are now being used for this purpose. Due to automation, only 10 per cent of the actual work is now being done by workers, while machines handle the remaining 90 per cent, they said.
Yard owners are recycling ships following regulations enforced by the industries ministry, DoE, Department of Explosives, to safeguard the environment and workers.
In a bid to further develop and expand the shipbreaking sector, the industry has prepared a training module for yard workers and other staff.
Yard workers and employees received their training under the Norad Fund Project – funded by the Norwegian government, and supported by the industries ministry and from the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).
Seven hundred yard workers have received training so far, while 200 trainers were created under the ToT course. Despite the notable progress, the DoE has categorised the shipbreaking industry as “Red.”
The move has damaged the yard owners financially, and impacted Bangladesh’s image in the global arena.
‘Ship recycling sector has potential’
Members of the Norwegian delegation pointed out that the ship recycling sector has the potential to make a significant contribution to Bangladesh’s economy. They are optimistic that Bangladesh’s participation in the upcoming Hong Kong Convention would take this industry one step forward.
Speaking as the chief guest, State Secretary to the Norwegian Minister of Climate and Environment Ragnhild Sjoner Syrstad said, “We have visited the shipbreaking industry in Sitakunda, and we are satisfied with the environmental protection and workers’ safety systems.
“I am optimistic that the Bangladesh government will ratify the Hong Kong Convention for the ship recycling industry.”
Speaking as special guest, Norwegian ambassador to Bangladesh Espen Rikter-Svendsen said, “I have visited Chattogram multiple times in the last nine years. After my recent visit to shipbreaking yards in the regions, I can certainly say the industry will play an important role in Bangladesh’s development.
“The yard owners have built their establishments environmentally friendly.”
PHP Ship Breaking & Recycling Yard Managing Director Zahirul Islam said, “Following the Hong Kong Convention guideline, Bangladesh is gradually moving towards green ship breaking and recycling.
“Currently, three yards have been upgraded to green ship breaking and recycling establishments. These three have also achieved Class-NK certification. All yards will gradually become green establishments. So, this industry must be designated as Orange.”
He further said, “During Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s visit to Japan, the country signed a memorandum of cooperation on ship recycling with Bangladesh on April 23. Bangladesh also signed a loan deal with Japan for ship recycling waste management.
“Under such circumstances, the recent Red classification of shipbreaking yards could pose a negative impact on the ratification process of the Honk Kong Convention. We demand a resolution of this situation, and reinstatement of previous regulations for the ship recycling industry.”
BSBRA President Md Abu Taher presided over the programme, while Norway Foreign Ministry’s Senior Adviser Annie Glad Fadrikhsen, Norwegian Shipowners' Association CEO Harold Solberg also spoke among others.
BSBRA’s Adviser Captain (retd) Enam Chowdhury, Senior Member Shawkat Ali Chowdhury, Vice President Zahirul Islam, EC Member Karim Uddin, and Member Md Taslim Uddin were also present at the view exchange.
Earlier on Tuesday morning, a ten-member Norwegian delegation visited a number of shipbreaking yards in Sitakunda.
