The publicly available specifications (PAS), developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), contribute to improved practice and lower environmental impacts in ship recycling. Every part of the hull and machinery is capable of being re-used in ships, making their recycling a highly sustainable and environmentally friendly activity.
ISO/PAS 30006:2010, Ship recycling management systems - Diagrams to show the location of hazardous materials onboard ships, and ISO/PAS 30007:2010, Ships and marine technology - Measures to prevent asbestos emission and exposure during ship recycling, will counter reports that have identified bad working practices and negative environmental impacts in some methods of ship recycling. They will provide guidance for the preparation of ships for recycling and will help to minimize the use of potentially hazardous materials and waste generation during a ship's operating life.
Workers will also be protected under the new specifications. Shipyard workers have an elevated risk of developing an asbestos-related disease, especially in recycling activities. ISO/PAS 30007:2010 provides effective methods for minimizing the dangers of asbestos during ship recycling by reducing both the release of asbestos into the environment and worker exposure to asbestos.
These standards were developed by ISO Technical Committee (TC) 8, Ships and marine technology, subcommittee (SC) 2, Marine environment protection. The U.S. holds chairmanship of TC 8 through Captain Charles Piersall, a retired U.S. Navy Captain. The SC 2 secretariat is also held by the U.S., which the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) has delegated to the U.S. Department of Transportation Maritime Administration. The ANSI-accredited U.S. Technical Advisory Group (TAG) administrator for both TC 8 and SC 2 is ASTM International, an ANSI member and audited designator.
For more information on these ship recycling standards, see the ISO news item.