BETA


2012/0056(NLE) Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships, 2009: ratification or accession by Member States

Progress: Procedure completed

RoleCommitteeRapporteurShadows
Lead ENVI SCHLYTER Carl (icon: Verts/ALE Verts/ALE) FJELLNER Christofer (icon: PPE PPE), AYALA SENDER Inés (icon: S&D S&D), DAVIES Chris (icon: ALDE ALDE), VAN DALEN Peter (icon: ECR ECR), WILS Sabine (icon: GUE/NGL GUE/NGL), CYMAŃSKI Tadeusz (icon: EFD EFD)
Committee Opinion TRAN
Committee Opinion JURI
Committee Opinion ITRE
Lead committee dossier:
Legal Basis:
TFEU 192-p1, TFEU 218-p6a, TFEU 218-p8-a2

Events

2014/04/30
   Final act published in Official Journal
Details

PURPOSE: to authorise Member States to ratify or to accede to the Hong Kong International Convention of 2009 for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships.

NON-LEGISLATIVE ACT: Council Decision 2014/241/EU concerning the ratification of, or the accession to, the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships, 2009, by the Member States in the interests of the European Union.

BACKGROUND: current legislation at international and European levels has proven ineffective to put an end to environmentally unsound and unsafe practices in dismantling ships. This widespread non-compliance is due, among other things, to the fact that the current legislation is not adapted to the specificities of ships and international shipping.

At the end of their operating life, most of the large commercial seagoing vessels are still dismantled in substandard facilities located in Asia (India, Pakistan and Bangladesh), usually through "beaching" method and with significant environmental and health impacts. The situation is expected to worsen since large numbers of ships are expected to be sent for dismantling in the coming years.

To address this situation, in 2004, the Parties to the Basel Convention called on the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) to draw up strict requirements in regard to the recycling of ships.

The Hong Kong Convention for the Safe and Sound Recycling of Ships was adopted in May 2009 by the International Maritime Organisation. However, to enter info force, the convention needs to be ratified by at least 15 States representing a combined merchant fleet of at least 40 per cent of the gross tonnage of the world's merchant shipping.

The Union cannot accede to the Convention, as only States can be parties thereto. Thus the Council authorises Member States having ships flying their flag or registered under their flag which fall within the scope of the Convention to ratify or accede to it.

Objectives of the Convention: the Convention covers the design, construction, operation and preparation of ships so as to facilitate safe and environmentally sound recycling without compromising ship safety and operational efficiency. It also covers the operation of ship recycling facilities in a safe and environmentally sound manner, and the establishment of an appropriate enforcement mechanism for ship recycling.

Ratification: Member States which have ratified or acceded to the Convention shall notify the Commission thereof. The Council will review the progress of the ratification by 31 December 2018.

2014/04/14
   EP/CSL - Act adopted by Council after consultation of Parliament
2014/04/14
   EP - End of procedure in Parliament
2014/04/14
   CSL - Council Meeting
2014/03/13
   EP - Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading
Details

The European Parliament adopted by 439 votes to 41, with 22 abstentions, a legislative resolution on the draft Council decision concerning the ratification of, or the accession to, the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships, 2009, by the Member States in the interests of the European Union.

Parliament gave its consent to the draft Council decision.

Documents
2014/03/11
   EP - Committee report tabled for plenary, 1st reading/single reading
Details

The Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety adopted the report by Carl SCHLYTER (Greens/EFA, SE) on the draft Council decision concerning the ratification of, or the accession to, the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships, 2009, by the Member States in the interests of the European Union.

Given that the Convention is a step at global level to move towards a safer and more environmentally sound recycling of non-EU ships, Members called on the European Parliament to give its consent the Council Decision allowing Member States to ratify or accede to the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships, 2009, in the interests of the European Union.

Documents
2014/03/10
   EP - Vote in committee, 1st reading/single reading
2014/02/07
   EP - Committee draft report
Documents
2014/01/13
   EP - Committee referral announced in Parliament, 1st reading/single reading
2013/11/29
   EC - Legislative proposal published
Details

PURPOSE: to authorise Member States to ratify or to accede to the Hong Kong International Convention of 2009 for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships, in the interests of the European Union.

PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.

ROLE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: Council may adopt the act only if Parliament has given its consent to the act.

BACKGROUND: the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships, 2009, was adopted on 15 May 2009 under the auspices of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO). It covers the design, construction, operation and preparation of ships so as to facilitate safe and environmentally sound recycling without compromising ship safety and operational efficiency.

The Convention enters into force 24 months after the date of ratification by at least 15 States representing a combined merchant fleet of at least 40 per cent of the gross tonnage of the world's merchant shipping and whose combined maximum annual ship recycling volume during the preceding 10 years constitutes not less than three per cent of the gross tonnage of the combined merchant shipping of the same States.

In its conclusions of 21 October 2009, the Council strongly encouraged the Member States to ratify the Convention as a matter of priority so as to facilitate its entry into force as early as possible and to generate a real and effective change on the ground.

The Union cannot accede to the Convention, as only States can be parties thereto. Thus, the Council should authorise Member States having ships flying their flag or registered under their flag which fall within the scope of the Convention to ratify or accede to it. This is the aim of this proposal.

LEGAL BASIS: Article 192(1), in conjunction with Article 218(6)(a)(v) and the first subparagraph of Article 218(8) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU).

CONTENT: with this proposed Decision, it is proposed to invite the Council to authorise the Member States to ratify or accede to, for the parts falling under the exclusive competence of the Union, the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships, 2009.

Aims of the Convention : the Hong Kong Convention aims at ensuring that ships, when being dismantled after reaching the end of their operational live, do not pose any unnecessary risks to human health and safety and to the environment. It addresses the issues around ship dismantling in their entirety as well as concerns raised about the working and environmental conditions at many of the ship dismantling locations around the world.

For further details of the main provisions of the Convention, please refer to the summary of the initial legislative proposal dated 23/03/2012 .

Entry into force : Member States which have ratified or acceded to the Convention shall notify the Commission thereof within 6 months of the date of deposit of their instruments of ratification or accession with the Secretary-General of the IMO.

The Council will review the progress of the ratification by 31 December 2018.

Documents
2012/05/29
   EP - Responsible Committee
2012/03/23
   EC - Initial legislative proposal published
Details

PURPOSE: to requiring Member States to ratify or to accede to the Hong Kong International Convention of 2009 for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships, in the interests of the European Union.

PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.

BACKGROUND: current legislation at international and European levels has proven ineffective to put an end to environmentally unsound and unsafe practices in dismantling ships . The current widespread non-compliance is linked to : (i) the lack of recycling capacity available within the OECD in particular for the largest commercial ships ; (ii) the fierce and unfair competition between the substandard facilities and other facilities with higher technical standards which are only able to occupy market niches for special types of ships like small ships and government vessels including warships or the fleet of committed shipowners; (iii) the fact that the current legislation is not adapted to the specificities of ships and international shipping.

At the end of their operating life, most of the large commercial seagoing vessels are still dismantled in substandard facilities located in Asia (India, Pakistan and Bangladesh), usually through "beaching" method and with significant environmental and health impacts. The situation is expected to worsen since large numbers of ships are expected to be sent for dismantling in the coming years.

The Hong Kong Convention for the Safe and Sound Recycling of Ships was adopted in May 2009 by the International Maritime Organisation. It needs to be ratified by a sufficient number of both large flag and recycling States in order to enter into force and start producing effects.

The environmentally sound management of ship dismantling is a priority for the European Union and the early implementation of the Convention is one of the key actions proposed in the Communication of the Commission 'An EU Strategy for better ship dismantling'.

The proposal is closely linked to the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on ship recycling to implement the Hong Kong International Convention.

IMPACT ASSESSMENT: no impact assessment has been undertaken.

LEGAL BASIS: Article 192(1), in conjunction with Article 218(6)(a)(v) and the first subparagraph of Article 218(8) TFEU.

CONTENT: the Hong Kong Convention aims at ensuring that ships, when being dismantled after reaching the end of their operational live, do not pose any unnecessary risks to human health and safety and to the environment. The Convention addresses the issues around ship dismantling in their entirety as well as concerns raised about the working and environmental conditions at many of the ship dismantling locations around the world.

So far none of the Member States has ratified the Convention or acceded to it and only three Member States have signed it. Some provisions of the Convention fall within the exclusive competence of the Union as regards ship recycling. The Union cannot ratify the Convention, as only States can be parties thereto.

Accordingly, it is proposed that the Council require Member States to ratify the Convention or to accede to it in the interests of the Union.

Ratification of the Convention or accession to it by Member States would carry weight in the international arena and would speed up the entry into force of the Convention.

BUDGETARY IMPLICATIONS: the proposal has no implications for the EU budget.

Documents

Votes

A7-0166/2014 - Carl Schlyter - Approbation #

2014/03/13 Outcome: +: 439, -: 41, 0: 22
DE FR ES RO IT SE PL BG AT HU NL BE PT HR IE EL FI DK EE CZ SK LV LU SI LT GB MT CY
Total
67
50
39
25
37
18
29
15
15
13
19
12
14
11
9
12
7
6
6
13
6
7
5
5
4
49
3
5
icon: PPE PPE
181

Belgium PPE

2

Denmark PPE

For (1)

1

Estonia PPE

For (1)

1

Czechia PPE

1

Luxembourg PPE

3

Malta PPE

2
2
icon: S&D S&D
125

Hungary S&D

2

Netherlands S&D

2

Ireland S&D

1

Finland S&D

For (1)

1

Estonia S&D

For (1)

1

Slovakia S&D

For (1)

1

Latvia S&D

1

Luxembourg S&D

For (1)

1

Lithuania S&D

1

Malta S&D

1

Cyprus S&D

1
icon: ALDE ALDE
52

Spain ALDE

1

Italy ALDE

1

Austria ALDE

1

Belgium ALDE

1

Finland ALDE

For (1)

1

Denmark ALDE

For (1)

1

Luxembourg ALDE

For (1)

1

Slovenia ALDE

2

Lithuania ALDE

1
icon: Verts/ALE Verts/ALE
43

Austria Verts/ALE

1

Netherlands Verts/ALE

3

Belgium Verts/ALE

2

Greece Verts/ALE

1

Finland Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Denmark Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Estonia Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Latvia Verts/ALE

1

United Kingdom Verts/ALE

4
icon: NI NI
25

France NI

2

Spain NI

1

Italy NI

For (1)

Against (1)

2

Bulgaria NI

1

Belgium NI

Abstain (1)

1

Ireland NI

For (1)

1

United Kingdom NI

Against (1)

Abstain (1)

4
icon: GUE/NGL GUE/NGL
25
4

Spain GUE/NGL

Abstain (1)

1

Sweden GUE/NGL

1

Netherlands GUE/NGL

1

Portugal GUE/NGL

3

Croatia GUE/NGL

Abstain (1)

1

Greece GUE/NGL

Abstain (1)

2

Denmark GUE/NGL

For (1)

1

Czechia GUE/NGL

3

Latvia GUE/NGL

Abstain (1)

1

United Kingdom GUE/NGL

1

Cyprus GUE/NGL

2
icon: EFD EFD
12

Netherlands EFD

For (1)

1

Belgium EFD

For (1)

1

Greece EFD

1

Finland EFD

For (1)

1

Slovakia EFD

For (1)

1

United Kingdom EFD

Against (1)

2
icon: ECR ECR
38

Italy ECR

1

Hungary ECR

For (1)

1

Netherlands ECR

For (1)

1

Belgium ECR

For (1)

1

Croatia ECR

For (1)

1

History

(these mark the time of scraping, not the official date of the change)

activities
  • date: 2012-03-23T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/registre/docs_autres_institutions/commission_europeenne/com/2012/0120/COM_COM(2012)0120_EN.pdf title: COM(2012)0120 type: Initial legislative proposal published celexid: CELEX:52012PC0120:EN body: EC commission: DG: url: http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/environment/ title: Environment Commissioner: POTOČNIK Janez type: Initial legislative proposal published
  • date: 2013-11-29T00:00:00 docs: url: http://register.consilium.europa.eu/content/out?lang=EN&typ=SET&i=ADV&RESULTSET=1&DOC_ID=15902%2F13&DOC_LANCD=EN&ROWSPP=25&NRROWS=500&ORDERBY=DOC_DATE+DESC type: Legislative proposal published title: 15902/2013 body: EC commission: DG: url: http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/environment/ title: Environment Commissioner: POTOČNIK Janez type: Legislative proposal published
  • date: 2014-01-13T00:00:00 body: EP type: Committee referral announced in Parliament, 1st reading/single reading committees: body: EP shadows: group: PPE name: FJELLNER Christofer group: S&D name: AYALA SENDER Inés group: ALDE name: DAVIES Chris group: ECR name: VAN DALEN Peter group: GUE/NGL name: WILS Sabine group: EFD name: CYMAŃSKI Tadeusz responsible: True committee: ENVI date: 2012-05-29T00:00:00 committee_full: Environment, Public Health and Food Safety rapporteur: group: Verts/ALE name: SCHLYTER Carl body: EP responsible: False committee_full: Industry, Research and Energy committee: ITRE body: EP responsible: False committee_full: Legal Affairs committee: JURI body: EP responsible: False committee_full: Transport and Tourism committee: TRAN
  • date: 2014-03-10T00:00:00 body: EP type: Vote in committee, 1st reading/single reading committees: body: EP shadows: group: PPE name: FJELLNER Christofer group: S&D name: AYALA SENDER Inés group: ALDE name: DAVIES Chris group: ECR name: VAN DALEN Peter group: GUE/NGL name: WILS Sabine group: EFD name: CYMAŃSKI Tadeusz responsible: True committee: ENVI date: 2012-05-29T00:00:00 committee_full: Environment, Public Health and Food Safety rapporteur: group: Verts/ALE name: SCHLYTER Carl body: EP responsible: False committee_full: Industry, Research and Energy committee: ITRE body: EP responsible: False committee_full: Legal Affairs committee: JURI body: EP responsible: False committee_full: Transport and Tourism committee: TRAN
  • body: EP docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=REPORT&mode=XML&reference=A7-2014-0166&language=EN type: Committee report tabled for plenary, 1st reading/single reading title: A7-0166/2014 type: Committee report tabled for plenary, 1st reading/single reading committees: body: EP shadows: group: PPE name: FJELLNER Christofer group: S&D name: AYALA SENDER Inés group: ALDE name: DAVIES Chris group: ECR name: VAN DALEN Peter group: GUE/NGL name: WILS Sabine group: EFD name: CYMAŃSKI Tadeusz responsible: True committee: ENVI date: 2012-05-29T00:00:00 committee_full: Environment, Public Health and Food Safety rapporteur: group: Verts/ALE name: SCHLYTER Carl body: EP responsible: False committee_full: Industry, Research and Energy committee: ITRE body: EP responsible: False committee_full: Legal Affairs committee: JURI body: EP responsible: False committee_full: Transport and Tourism committee: TRAN date: 2014-03-11T00:00:00
  • date: 2014-03-13T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=TA&language=EN&reference=P7-TA-2014-0238 type: Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading title: T7-0238/2014 body: EP type: Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading
  • date: 2014-04-14T00:00:00 body: CSL type: Council Meeting council: Agriculture and Fisheries meeting_id: 3308
  • date: 2014-04-14T00:00:00 body: EP type: End of procedure in Parliament
  • date: 2014-04-14T00:00:00 body: EP/CSL type: Act adopted by Council after consultation of Parliament
  • date: 2014-04-30T00:00:00 type: Final act published in Official Journal docs: url: http://eur-lex.europa.eu/smartapi/cgi/sga_doc?smartapi!celexplus!prod!CELEXnumdoc&lg=EN&numdoc=32014D0241 title: Decision 2014/241 url: http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=OJ:L:2014:128:TOC title: OJ L 128 30.04.2014, p. 0045
commission
  • body: EC dg: Environment commissioner: POTOČNIK Janez
committees/0
type
Responsible Committee
body
EP
associated
False
committee_full
Environment, Public Health and Food Safety
committee
ENVI
date
2012-05-29T00:00:00
rapporteur
name: SCHLYTER Carl group: Greens/European Free Alliance abbr: Verts/ALE
shadows
committees/0
body
EP
shadows
responsible
True
committee
ENVI
date
2012-05-29T00:00:00
committee_full
Environment, Public Health and Food Safety
rapporteur
group: Verts/ALE name: SCHLYTER Carl
committees/1
type
Committee Opinion
body
EP
associated
False
committee_full
Industry, Research and Energy
committee
ITRE
opinion
False
committees/1
body
EP
responsible
False
committee_full
Industry, Research and Energy
committee
ITRE
committees/2
type
Committee Opinion
body
EP
associated
False
committee_full
Transport and Tourism
committee
TRAN
opinion
False
committees/2
body
EP
responsible
False
committee_full
Legal Affairs
committee
JURI
committees/3
type
Committee Opinion
body
EP
associated
False
committee_full
Legal Affairs
committee
JURI
opinion
False
committees/3
body
EP
responsible
False
committee_full
Transport and Tourism
committee
TRAN
council
  • body: CSL type: Council Meeting council: Agriculture and Fisheries meeting_id: 3308 url: http://register.consilium.europa.eu/content/out?lang=EN&typ=SET&i=SMPL&ROWSPP=25&RESULTSET=1&NRROWS=500&DOC_LANCD=EN&ORDERBY=DOC_DATE+DESC&CONTENTS=3308*&MEET_DATE=14/04/2014 date: 2014-04-14T00:00:00
docs
  • date: 2014-02-07T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=COMPARL&mode=XML&language=EN&reference=PE527.888 title: PE527.888 type: Committee draft report body: EP
events
  • date: 2012-03-23T00:00:00 type: Initial legislative proposal published body: EC docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/docs_autres_institutions/commission_europeenne/com/2012/0120/COM_COM(2012)0120_EN.pdf title: COM(2012)0120 url: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/smartapi/cgi/sga_doc?smartapi!celexplus!prod!DocNumber&lg=EN&type_doc=COMfinal&an_doc=2012&nu_doc=120 title: EUR-Lex summary: PURPOSE: to requiring Member States to ratify or to accede to the Hong Kong International Convention of 2009 for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships, in the interests of the European Union. PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision. BACKGROUND: current legislation at international and European levels has proven ineffective to put an end to environmentally unsound and unsafe practices in dismantling ships . The current widespread non-compliance is linked to : (i) the lack of recycling capacity available within the OECD in particular for the largest commercial ships ; (ii) the fierce and unfair competition between the substandard facilities and other facilities with higher technical standards which are only able to occupy market niches for special types of ships like small ships and government vessels including warships or the fleet of committed shipowners; (iii) the fact that the current legislation is not adapted to the specificities of ships and international shipping. At the end of their operating life, most of the large commercial seagoing vessels are still dismantled in substandard facilities located in Asia (India, Pakistan and Bangladesh), usually through "beaching" method and with significant environmental and health impacts. The situation is expected to worsen since large numbers of ships are expected to be sent for dismantling in the coming years. The Hong Kong Convention for the Safe and Sound Recycling of Ships was adopted in May 2009 by the International Maritime Organisation. It needs to be ratified by a sufficient number of both large flag and recycling States in order to enter into force and start producing effects. The environmentally sound management of ship dismantling is a priority for the European Union and the early implementation of the Convention is one of the key actions proposed in the Communication of the Commission 'An EU Strategy for better ship dismantling'. The proposal is closely linked to the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on ship recycling to implement the Hong Kong International Convention. IMPACT ASSESSMENT: no impact assessment has been undertaken. LEGAL BASIS: Article 192(1), in conjunction with Article 218(6)(a)(v) and the first subparagraph of Article 218(8) TFEU. CONTENT: the Hong Kong Convention aims at ensuring that ships, when being dismantled after reaching the end of their operational live, do not pose any unnecessary risks to human health and safety and to the environment. The Convention addresses the issues around ship dismantling in their entirety as well as concerns raised about the working and environmental conditions at many of the ship dismantling locations around the world. So far none of the Member States has ratified the Convention or acceded to it and only three Member States have signed it. Some provisions of the Convention fall within the exclusive competence of the Union as regards ship recycling. The Union cannot ratify the Convention, as only States can be parties thereto. Accordingly, it is proposed that the Council require Member States to ratify the Convention or to accede to it in the interests of the Union. Ratification of the Convention or accession to it by Member States would carry weight in the international arena and would speed up the entry into force of the Convention. BUDGETARY IMPLICATIONS: the proposal has no implications for the EU budget.
  • date: 2013-11-29T00:00:00 type: Legislative proposal published body: EC docs: url: http://register.consilium.europa.eu/content/out?lang=EN&typ=SET&i=ADV&RESULTSET=1&DOC_ID=15902%2F13&DOC_LANCD=EN&ROWSPP=25&NRROWS=500&ORDERBY=DOC_DATE+DESC title: 15902/2013 summary: PURPOSE: to authorise Member States to ratify or to accede to the Hong Kong International Convention of 2009 for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships, in the interests of the European Union. PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision. ROLE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: Council may adopt the act only if Parliament has given its consent to the act. BACKGROUND: the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships, 2009, was adopted on 15 May 2009 under the auspices of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO). It covers the design, construction, operation and preparation of ships so as to facilitate safe and environmentally sound recycling without compromising ship safety and operational efficiency. The Convention enters into force 24 months after the date of ratification by at least 15 States representing a combined merchant fleet of at least 40 per cent of the gross tonnage of the world's merchant shipping and whose combined maximum annual ship recycling volume during the preceding 10 years constitutes not less than three per cent of the gross tonnage of the combined merchant shipping of the same States. In its conclusions of 21 October 2009, the Council strongly encouraged the Member States to ratify the Convention as a matter of priority so as to facilitate its entry into force as early as possible and to generate a real and effective change on the ground. The Union cannot accede to the Convention, as only States can be parties thereto. Thus, the Council should authorise Member States having ships flying their flag or registered under their flag which fall within the scope of the Convention to ratify or accede to it. This is the aim of this proposal. LEGAL BASIS: Article 192(1), in conjunction with Article 218(6)(a)(v) and the first subparagraph of Article 218(8) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU). CONTENT: with this proposed Decision, it is proposed to invite the Council to authorise the Member States to ratify or accede to, for the parts falling under the exclusive competence of the Union, the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships, 2009. Aims of the Convention : the Hong Kong Convention aims at ensuring that ships, when being dismantled after reaching the end of their operational live, do not pose any unnecessary risks to human health and safety and to the environment. It addresses the issues around ship dismantling in their entirety as well as concerns raised about the working and environmental conditions at many of the ship dismantling locations around the world. For further details of the main provisions of the Convention, please refer to the summary of the initial legislative proposal dated 23/03/2012 . Entry into force : Member States which have ratified or acceded to the Convention shall notify the Commission thereof within 6 months of the date of deposit of their instruments of ratification or accession with the Secretary-General of the IMO. The Council will review the progress of the ratification by 31 December 2018.
  • date: 2014-01-13T00:00:00 type: Committee referral announced in Parliament, 1st reading/single reading body: EP
  • date: 2014-03-10T00:00:00 type: Vote in committee, 1st reading/single reading body: EP
  • date: 2014-03-11T00:00:00 type: Committee report tabled for plenary, 1st reading/single reading body: EP docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=REPORT&mode=XML&reference=A7-2014-0166&language=EN title: A7-0166/2014 summary: The Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety adopted the report by Carl SCHLYTER (Greens/EFA, SE) on the draft Council decision concerning the ratification of, or the accession to, the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships, 2009, by the Member States in the interests of the European Union. Given that the Convention is a step at global level to move towards a safer and more environmentally sound recycling of non-EU ships, Members called on the European Parliament to give its consent the Council Decision allowing Member States to ratify or accede to the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships, 2009, in the interests of the European Union.
  • date: 2014-03-13T00:00:00 type: Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading body: EP docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=TA&language=EN&reference=P7-TA-2014-0238 title: T7-0238/2014 summary: The European Parliament adopted by 439 votes to 41, with 22 abstentions, a legislative resolution on the draft Council decision concerning the ratification of, or the accession to, the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships, 2009, by the Member States in the interests of the European Union. Parliament gave its consent to the draft Council decision.
  • date: 2014-04-14T00:00:00 type: Act adopted by Council after consultation of Parliament body: EP/CSL
  • date: 2014-04-14T00:00:00 type: End of procedure in Parliament body: EP
  • date: 2014-04-30T00:00:00 type: Final act published in Official Journal summary: PURPOSE: to authorise Member States to ratify or to accede to the Hong Kong International Convention of 2009 for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships. NON-LEGISLATIVE ACT: Council Decision 2014/241/EU concerning the ratification of, or the accession to, the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships, 2009, by the Member States in the interests of the European Union. BACKGROUND: current legislation at international and European levels has proven ineffective to put an end to environmentally unsound and unsafe practices in dismantling ships. This widespread non-compliance is due, among other things, to the fact that the current legislation is not adapted to the specificities of ships and international shipping. At the end of their operating life, most of the large commercial seagoing vessels are still dismantled in substandard facilities located in Asia (India, Pakistan and Bangladesh), usually through "beaching" method and with significant environmental and health impacts. The situation is expected to worsen since large numbers of ships are expected to be sent for dismantling in the coming years. To address this situation, in 2004, the Parties to the Basel Convention called on the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) to draw up strict requirements in regard to the recycling of ships. The Hong Kong Convention for the Safe and Sound Recycling of Ships was adopted in May 2009 by the International Maritime Organisation. However, to enter info force, the convention needs to be ratified by at least 15 States representing a combined merchant fleet of at least 40 per cent of the gross tonnage of the world's merchant shipping. The Union cannot accede to the Convention, as only States can be parties thereto. Thus the Council authorises Member States having ships flying their flag or registered under their flag which fall within the scope of the Convention to ratify or accede to it. Objectives of the Convention: the Convention covers the design, construction, operation and preparation of ships so as to facilitate safe and environmentally sound recycling without compromising ship safety and operational efficiency. It also covers the operation of ship recycling facilities in a safe and environmentally sound manner, and the establishment of an appropriate enforcement mechanism for ship recycling. Ratification: Member States which have ratified or acceded to the Convention shall notify the Commission thereof. The Council will review the progress of the ratification by 31 December 2018. docs: title: Decision 2014/241 url: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/smartapi/cgi/sga_doc?smartapi!celexplus!prod!CELEXnumdoc&lg=EN&numdoc=32014D0241 title: OJ L 128 30.04.2014, p. 0045 url: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=OJ:L:2014:128:TOC
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  • body: EC dg: url: http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/environment/ title: Environment commissioner: POTOČNIK Janez
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  • ENVI/7/09188
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  • 3.20.15.06 Maritime or inland transport agreements and cooperation
  • 3.40.04 Shipbuilding, nautical industry
  • 3.70.05 Marine and coastal pollution, pollution from ships, oil pollution
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  • 3.70.13 Dangerous substances, toxic and radioactive wastes (storage, transport)
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  • group: S&D name: AYALA SENDER Inés
  • group: ALDE name: DAVIES Chris
  • group: ECR name: VAN DALEN Peter
  • group: GUE/NGL name: WILS Sabine
  • group: EFD name: CYMAŃSKI Tadeusz
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2012-05-29T00:00:00
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  • group: S&D name: AYALA SENDER Inés
  • group: ALDE name: DAVIES Chris
  • group: ECR name: VAN DALEN Peter
  • group: GUE/NGL name: WILS Sabine
  • group: EFD name: CYMAŃSKI Tadeusz
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  • group: S&D name: AYALA SENDER Inés
  • group: ALDE name: DAVIES Chris
  • group: ECR name: VAN DALEN Peter
  • group: GUE/NGL name: WILS Sabine
  • group: EFD name: CYMAŃSKI Tadeusz
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activities/9/text
  • PURPOSE: to authorise Member States to ratify or to accede to the Hong Kong International Convention of 2009 for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships.

    NON-LEGISLATIVE ACT: Council Decision 2014/241/EU concerning the ratification of, or the accession to, the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships, 2009, by the Member States in the interests of the European Union.

    BACKGROUND: current legislation at international and European levels has proven ineffective to put an end to environmentally unsound and unsafe practices in dismantling ships. This widespread non-compliance is due, among other things, to the fact that the current legislation is not adapted to the specificities of ships and international shipping.

    At the end of their operating life, most of the large commercial seagoing vessels are still dismantled in substandard facilities located in Asia (India, Pakistan and Bangladesh), usually through "beaching" method and with significant environmental and health impacts. The situation is expected to worsen since large numbers of ships are expected to be sent for dismantling in the coming years.

    To address this situation, in 2004, the Parties to the Basel Convention called on the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) to draw up strict requirements in regard to the recycling of ships.

    The Hong Kong Convention for the Safe and Sound Recycling of Ships was adopted in May 2009 by the International Maritime Organisation. However, to enter info force, the convention needs to be ratified by at least 15 States representing a combined merchant fleet of at least 40 per cent of the gross tonnage of the world's merchant shipping.

    The Union cannot accede to the Convention, as only States can be parties thereto. Thus the Council authorises Member States having ships flying their flag or registered under their flag which fall within the scope of the Convention to ratify or accede to it.

    Objectives of the Convention: the Convention covers the design, construction, operation and preparation of ships so as to facilitate safe and environmentally sound recycling without compromising ship safety and operational efficiency. It also covers the operation of ship recycling facilities in a safe and environmentally sound manner, and the establishment of an appropriate enforcement mechanism for ship recycling.

    Ratification: Member States which have ratified or acceded to the Convention shall notify the Commission thereof. The Council will review the progress of the ratification by 31 December 2018.

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2012-05-29T00:00:00
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  • group: Verts/ALE name: SCHLYTER Carl
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  • group: PPE name: FJELLNER Christofer
  • group: S&D name: AYALA SENDER Inés
  • group: ALDE name: DAVIES Chris
  • group: ECR name: VAN DALEN Peter
  • group: GUE/NGL name: WILS Sabine
  • group: EFD name: CYMAŃSKI Tadeusz
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2012-05-29T00:00:00
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  • group: Verts/ALE name: SCHLYTER Carl
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  • group: EPP name: FJELLNER Christofer
  • group: S&D name: AYALA SENDER Inés
  • group: ALDE name: DAVIES Chris
  • group: ECR name: VAN DALEN Peter
  • group: GUE/NGL name: WILS Sabine
  • group: EFD name: CYMAŃSKI Tadeusz
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2012-05-29T00:00:00
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  • group: Verts/ALE name: SCHLYTER Carl
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  • group: EPP name: FJELLNER Christofer
  • group: S&D name: AYALA SENDER Inés
  • group: ALDE name: DAVIES Chris
  • group: ECR name: VAN DALEN Peter
  • group: GUE/NGL name: WILS Sabine
  • group: EFD name: CYMAŃSKI Tadeusz
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2012-05-29T00:00:00
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  • group: Verts/ALE name: SCHLYTER Carl
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  • group: S&D name: AYALA SENDER Inés
  • group: ALDE name: DAVIES Chris
  • group: ECR name: VAN DALEN Peter
  • group: GUE/NGL name: WILS Sabine
  • group: EFD name: CYMAŃSKI Tadeusz
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  • group: ALDE name: DAVIES Chris
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  • group: GUE/NGL name: WILS Sabine
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Decision 2014/241
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activities/4/docs/0/text
  • The Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety adopted the report by Carl SCHLYTER (Greens/EFA, SE) on the draft Council decision concerning the ratification of, or the accession to, the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships, 2009, by the Member States in the interests of the European Union.

    Given that the Convention is a step at global level to move towards a safer and more environmentally sound recycling of non-EU ships, Members called on the European Parliament to give its consent the Council Decision allowing Member States to ratify or accede to the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships, 2009, in the interests of the European Union.

activities/5/docs/0/text
  • The European Parliament adopted by 439 votes to 41, with 22 abstentions, a legislative resolution on the draft Council decision concerning the ratification of, or the accession to, the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships, 2009, by the Member States in the interests of the European Union.

    Parliament gave its consent to the draft Council decision.

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  • body: EP responsible: False committee_full: Industry, Research and Energy committee: ITRE
  • body: EP responsible: False committee_full: Legal Affairs committee: JURI
  • body: EP responsible: False committee_full: Transport and Tourism committee: TRAN
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  • type: Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading title: T7-0238/2014
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2014-03-06T00:00:00
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2014-03-10T00:00:00
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CELEX:52012DC0120(02):EN
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CELEX:52012PC0120:EN
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2014-03-11T00:00:00
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2014-03-13T00:00:00
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activities/1/docs/0/text
  • PURPOSE: to authorise Member States to ratify or to accede to the Hong Kong International Convention of 2009 for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships, in the interests of the European Union.

    PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.

    ROLE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: Council may adopt the act only if Parliament has given its consent to the act. 

    BACKGROUND: the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships, 2009, was adopted on 15 May 2009 under the auspices of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO). It covers the design, construction, operation and preparation of ships so as to facilitate safe and environmentally sound recycling without compromising ship safety and operational efficiency.

    The Convention enters into force 24 months after the date of ratification by at least 15 States representing a combined merchant fleet of at least 40 per cent of the gross tonnage of the world's merchant shipping and whose combined maximum annual ship recycling volume during the preceding 10 years constitutes not less than three per cent of the gross tonnage of the combined merchant shipping of the same States.

    In its conclusions of 21 October 2009, the Council strongly encouraged the Member States to ratify the Convention as a matter of priority so as to facilitate its entry into force as early as possible and to generate a real and effective change on the ground.

    The Union cannot accede to the Convention, as only States can be parties thereto. Thus, the Council should authorise Member States having ships flying their flag or registered under their flag which fall within the scope of the Convention to ratify or accede to it. This is the aim of this proposal.

    LEGAL BASIS: Article 192(1), in conjunction with Article 218(6)(a)(v) and the first subparagraph of Article 218(8) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU).

    CONTENT: with this proposed Decision, it is proposed to invite the Council to authorise the Member States to ratify or accede to, for the parts falling under the exclusive competence of the Union, the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships, 2009.

    Aims of the Convention: the Hong Kong Convention aims at ensuring that ships, when being dismantled after reaching the end of their operational live, do not pose any unnecessary risks to human health and safety and to the environment. It addresses the issues around ship dismantling in their entirety as well as concerns raised about the working and environmental conditions at many of the ship dismantling locations around the world.

    For further details of the main provisions of the Convention, please refer to the summary of the initial legislative proposal dated 23/03/2012.

    Entry into force: Member States which have ratified or acceded to the Convention shall notify the Commission thereof within 6 months of the date of deposit of their instruments of ratification or accession with the Secretary-General of the IMO.

    The Council will review the progress of the ratification by 31 December 2018.

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2012-03-23T00:00:00
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  • DG: url: http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/environment/ title: Environment Commissioner: POTOČNIK Janez
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  • PURPOSE: to requiring Member States to ratify or to accede to the Hong Kong International Convention of 2009 for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships, in the interests of the European Union.

    PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.

    BACKGROUND: current legislation at international and European levels has proven ineffective to put an end to environmentally unsound and unsafe practices in dismantling ships. The current widespread non-compliance is linked to : (i) the lack of recycling capacity available within the OECD in particular for the largest commercial ships ; (ii) the fierce and unfair competition between the substandard facilities and other facilities with higher technical standards which are only able to occupy market niches for special types of ships like small ships and government vessels including warships or the fleet of committed shipowners; (iii) the fact that the current legislation is not adapted to the specificities of ships and international shipping.

    At the end of their operating life, most of the large commercial seagoing vessels are still dismantled in substandard facilities located in Asia (India, Pakistan and Bangladesh), usually through "beaching" method and with significant environmental and health impacts. The situation is expected to worsen since large numbers of ships are expected to be sent for dismantling in the coming years.

    The Hong Kong Convention for the Safe and Sound Recycling of Ships was adopted in May 2009 by the International Maritime Organisation. It needs to be ratified by a sufficient number of both large flag and recycling States in order to enter into force and start producing effects.

    The environmentally sound management of ship dismantling is a priority for the European Union and the early implementation of the Convention is one of the key actions proposed in the Communication of the Commission 'An EU Strategy for better ship dismantling'.

    The proposal is closely linked to the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on ship recycling to implement the Hong Kong International Convention.

    IMPACT ASSESSMENT: no impact assessment has been undertaken.

    LEGAL BASIS: Article 192(1), in conjunction with Article 218(6)(a)(v) and the first subparagraph of Article 218(8) TFEU.

    CONTENT: the Hong Kong Convention aims at ensuring that ships, when being dismantled after reaching the end of their operational live, do not pose any unnecessary risks to human health and safety and to the environment. The Convention addresses the issues around ship dismantling in their entirety as well as concerns raised about the working and environmental conditions at many of the ship dismantling locations around the world.

    So far none of the Member States has ratified the Convention or acceded to it and only three Member States have signed it. Some provisions of the Convention fall within the exclusive competence of the Union as regards ship recycling. The Union cannot ratify the Convention, as only States can be parties thereto.

    Accordingly, it is proposed that the Council require Member States to ratify the Convention or to accede to it in the interests of the Union.

    Ratification of the Convention or accession to it by Member States would carry weight in the international arena and would speed up the entry into force of the Convention.

    BUDGETARY IMPLICATIONS: the proposal has no implications for the EU budget.

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  • PURPOSE: to requiring Member States to ratify or to accede to the Hong Kong International Convention of 2009 for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships, in the interests of the European Union.

    PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.

    BACKGROUND: current legislation at international and European levels has proven ineffective to put an end to environmentally unsound and unsafe practices in dismantling ships. The current widespread non-compliance is linked to : (i) the lack of recycling capacity available within the OECD in particular for the largest commercial ships ; (ii) the fierce and unfair competition between the substandard facilities and other facilities with higher technical standards which are only able to occupy market niches for special types of ships like small ships and government vessels including warships or the fleet of committed shipowners; (iii) the fact that the current legislation is not adapted to the specificities of ships and international shipping.

    At the end of their operating life, most of the large commercial seagoing vessels are still dismantled in substandard facilities located in Asia (India, Pakistan and Bangladesh), usually through "beaching" method and with significant environmental and health impacts. The situation is expected to worsen since large numbers of ships are expected to be sent for dismantling in the coming years.

    The Hong Kong Convention for the Safe and Sound Recycling of Ships was adopted in May 2009 by the International Maritime Organisation. It needs to be ratified by a sufficient number of both large flag and recycling States in order to enter into force and start producing effects.

    The environmentally sound management of ship dismantling is a priority for the European Union and the early implementation of the Convention is one of the key actions proposed in the Communication of the Commission 'An EU Strategy for better ship dismantling'.

    The proposal is closely linked to the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on ship recycling to implement the Hong Kong International Convention.

    IMPACT ASSESSMENT: no impact assessment has been undertaken.

    LEGAL BASIS: Article 192(1), in conjunction with Article 218(6)(a)(v) and the first subparagraph of Article 218(8) TFEU.

    CONTENT: the Hong Kong Convention aims at ensuring that ships, when being dismantled after reaching the end of their operational live, do not pose any unnecessary risks to human health and safety and to the environment. The Convention addresses the issues around ship dismantling in their entirety as well as concerns raised about the working and environmental conditions at many of the ship dismantling locations around the world.

    So far none of the Member States has ratified the Convention or acceded to it and only three Member States have signed it. Some provisions of the Convention fall within the exclusive competence of the Union as regards ship recycling. The Union cannot ratify the Convention, as only States can be parties thereto.

    Accordingly, it is proposed that the Council require Member States to ratify the Convention or to accede to it in the interests of the Union.

    Ratification of the Convention or accession to it by Member States would carry weight in the international arena and would speed up the entry into force of the Convention.

    BUDGETARY IMPLICATIONS: the proposal has no implications for the EU budget.

activities/0/docs/0/text
  • PURPOSE: to requiring Member States to ratify or to accede to the Hong Kong International Convention of 2009 for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships, in the interests of the European Union.

    PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.

    BACKGROUND: current legislation at international and European levels has proven ineffective to put an end to environmentally unsound and unsafe practices in dismantling ships. The current widespread non-compliance is linked to : (i) the lack of recycling capacity available within the OECD in particular for the largest commercial ships ; (ii)  the fierce and unfair competition between  the substandard facilities and other facilities with higher technical standards which are only able to occupy market niches for special types of ships like small ships and government vessels including warships or the fleet of committed shipowners; (iii) the fact that the current legislation is not adapted to the specificities of ships and international shipping. 

    At the end of their operating life, most of the large commercial seagoing vessels are still dismantled in substandard facilities located in Asia (India, Pakistan and Bangladesh), usually through "beaching" method and with significant environmental and health impacts. The situation is expected to worsen since large numbers of ships are expected to be sent for dismantling in the coming years.

    The Hong Kong Convention for the Safe and Sound Recycling of Ships was adopted in May 2009 by the International Maritime Organisation. It needs to be ratified by a sufficient number of both large flag and recycling States in order to enter into force and start producing effects. 

    The environmentally sound management of ship dismantling is a priority for the European Union and the early implementation of the Convention is one of the key actions proposed in the Communication of the Commission 'An EU Strategy for better ship dismantling'.

    The proposal is closely linked to the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on ship recycling to implement the Hong Kong International Convention.

    IMPACT ASSESSMENT: no impact assessment has been undertaken.

    LEGAL BASIS: Article 192(1), in conjunction with Article 218(6)(a)(v) and the first subparagraph of Article 218(8) TFEU.

    CONTENT: the Hong Kong Convention aims at ensuring that ships, when being dismantled after reaching the end of their operational live, do not pose any unnecessary risks to human health and safety and to the environment. The Convention addresses the issues around ship dismantling in their entirety as well as concerns raised about the working and environmental conditions at many of the ship dismantling locations around the world.

    So far none of the Member States has ratified the Convention or acceded to it and only three Member States have signed it. Some provisions of the Convention fall within the exclusive competence of the Union as regards ship recycling.  The Union cannot ratify the Convention, as only States can be parties thereto.

    Accordingly, it is proposed that the Council require Member States to ratify the Convention or to accede to it in the interests of the Union.

    Ratification of the Convention or accession to it by Member States would carry weight in the international arena and would speed up the entry into force of the Convention.

    BUDGETARY IMPLICATIONS: the proposal has no implications for the EU budget.

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CELEX:52012PC0120:EN
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3.70.18 International and regional environment protection measures and agreements
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Old

PURPOSE: to requiring Member States to ratify or to accede to the Hong Kong International Convention of 2009 for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships, in the interests of the European Union.

PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.

BACKGROUND: current legislation at international and European levels has proven ineffective to put an end to environmentally unsound and unsafe practices in dismantling ships. The current widespread non-compliance is linked to : (i) the lack of recycling capacity available within the OECD in particular for the largest commercial ships ; (ii)  the fierce and unfair competition between  the substandard facilities and other facilities with higher technical standards which are only able to occupy market niches for special types of ships like small ships and government vessels including warships or the fleet of committed shipowners; (iii) the fact that the current legislation is not adapted to the specificities of ships and international shipping. 

At the end of their operating life, most of the large commercial seagoing vessels are still dismantled in substandard facilities located in Asia (India, Pakistan and Bangladesh), usually through "beaching" method and with significant environmental and health impacts. The situation is expected to worsen since large numbers of ships are expected to be sent for dismantling in the coming years.

The Hong Kong Convention for the Safe and Sound Recycling of Ships was adopted in May 2009 by the International Maritime Organisation. It needs to be ratified by a sufficient number of both large flag and recycling States in order to enter into force and start producing effects. 

The environmentally sound management of ship dismantling is a priority for the European Union and the early implementation of the Convention is one of the key actions proposed in the Communication of the Commission 'An EU Strategy for better ship dismantling'.

The proposal is closely linked to the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on ship recycling to implement the Hong Kong International Convention.

IMPACT ASSESSMENT: no impact assessment has been undertaken.

LEGAL BASIS: Article 192(1), in conjunction with Article 218(6)(a)(v) and the first subparagraph of Article 218(8) TFEU.

CONTENT: the Hong Kong Convention aims at ensuring that ships, when being dismantled after reaching the end of their operational live, do not pose any unnecessary risks to human health and safety and to the environment. The Convention addresses the issues around ship dismantling in their entirety as well as concerns raised about the working and environmental conditions at many of the ship dismantling locations around the world.

So far none of the Member States has ratified the Convention or acceded to it and only three Member States have signed it. Some provisions of the Convention fall within the exclusive competence of the Union as regards ship recycling.  The Union cannot ratify the Convention, as only States can be parties thereto.

Accordingly, it is proposed that the Council require Member States to ratify the Convention or to accede to it in the interests of the Union.

Ratification of the Convention or accession to it by Member States would carry weight in the international arena and would speed up the entry into force of the Convention.

BUDGETARY IMPLICATIONS: the proposal has no implications for the EU budget.

New

PURPOSE: to requiring Member States to ratify or to accede to the Hong Kong International Convention of 2009 for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships, in the interests of the European Union.

PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.

BACKGROUND: current legislation at international and European levels has proven ineffective to put an end to environmentally unsound and unsafe practices in dismantling ships. The current widespread non-compliance is linked to : (i) the lack of recycling capacity available within the OECD in particular for the largest commercial ships ; (ii)  the fierce and unfair competition between  the substandard facilities and other facilities with higher technical standards which are only able to occupy market niches for special types of ships like small ships and government vessels including warships or the fleet of committed shipowners; (iii) the fact that the current legislation is not adapted to the specificities of ships and international shipping. 

At the end of their operating life, most of the large commercial seagoing vessels are still dismantled in substandard facilities located in Asia (India, Pakistan and Bangladesh), usually through "beaching" method and with significant environmental and health impacts. The situation is expected to worsen since large numbers of ships are expected to be sent for dismantling in the coming years.

The Hong Kong Convention for the Safe and Sound Recycling of Ships was adopted in May 2009 by the International Maritime Organisation. It needs to be ratified by a sufficient number of both large flag and recycling States in order to enter into force and start producing effects. 

The environmentally sound management of ship dismantling is a priority for the European Union and the early implementation of the Convention is one of the key actions proposed in the Communication of the Commission 'An EU Strategy for better ship dismantling'.

The proposal is closely linked to the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on ship recycling to implement the Hong Kong International Convention.

IMPACT ASSESSMENT: no impact assessment has been undertaken.

LEGAL BASIS: Article 192(1), in conjunction with Article 218(6)(a)(v) and the first subparagraph of Article 218(8) TFEU.

CONTENT: the Hong Kong Convention aims at ensuring that ships, when being dismantled after reaching the end of their operational live, do not pose any unnecessary risks to human health and safety and to the environment. The Convention addresses the issues around ship dismantling in their entirety as well as concerns raised about the working and environmental conditions at many of the ship dismantling locations around the world.

So far none of the Member States has ratified the Convention or acceded to it and only three Member States have signed it. Some provisions of the Convention fall within the exclusive competence of the Union as regards ship recycling.  The Union cannot ratify the Convention, as only States can be parties thereto.

Accordingly, it is proposed that the Council require Member States to ratify the Convention or to accede to it in the interests of the Union.

Ratification of the Convention or accession to it by Member States would carry weight in the international arena and would speed up the entry into force of the Convention.

BUDGETARY IMPLICATIONS: the proposal has no implications for the EU budget.

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  • PURPOSE: to requiring Member States to ratify or to accede to the Hong Kong International Convention of 2009 for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships, in the interests of the European Union.

    PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.

    BACKGROUND: current legislation at international and European levels has proven ineffective to put an end to environmentally unsound and unsafe practices in dismantling ships. The current widespread non-compliance is linked to : (i) the lack of recycling capacity available within the OECD in particular for the largest commercial ships ; (ii)  the fierce and unfair competition between  the substandard facilities and other facilities with higher technical standards which are only able to occupy market niches for special types of ships like small ships and government vessels including warships or the fleet of committed shipowners; (iii) the fact that the current legislation is not adapted to the specificities of ships and international shipping. 

    At the end of their operating life, most of the large commercial seagoing vessels are still dismantled in substandard facilities located in Asia (India, Pakistan and Bangladesh), usually through "beaching" method and with significant environmental and health impacts. The situation is expected to worsen since large numbers of ships are expected to be sent for dismantling in the coming years.

    The Hong Kong Convention for the Safe and Sound Recycling of Ships was adopted in May 2009 by the International Maritime Organisation. It needs to be ratified by a sufficient number of both large flag and recycling States in order to enter into force and start producing effects. 

    The environmentally sound management of ship dismantling is a priority for the European Union and the early implementation of the Convention is one of the key actions proposed in the Communication of the Commission 'An EU Strategy for better ship dismantling'.

    The proposal is closely linked to the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on ship recycling to implement the Hong Kong International Convention.

    IMPACT ASSESSMENT: no impact assessment has been undertaken.

    LEGAL BASIS: Article 192(1), in conjunction with Article 218(6)(a)(v) and the first subparagraph of Article 218(8) TFEU.

    CONTENT: the Hong Kong Convention aims at ensuring that ships, when being dismantled after reaching the end of their operational live, do not pose any unnecessary risks to human health and safety and to the environment. The Convention addresses the issues around ship dismantling in their entirety as well as concerns raised about the working and environmental conditions at many of the ship dismantling locations around the world.

    So far none of the Member States has ratified the Convention or acceded to it and only three Member States have signed it. Some provisions of the Convention fall within the exclusive competence of the Union as regards ship recycling.  The Union cannot ratify the Convention, as only States can be parties thereto.

    Accordingly, it is proposed that the Council require Member States to ratify the Convention or to accede to it in the interests of the Union.

    Ratification of the Convention or accession to it by Member States would carry weight in the international arena and would speed up the entry into force of the Convention.

    BUDGETARY IMPLICATIONS: the proposal has no implications for the EU budget.

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  • date: 2012-03-23T00:00:00 docs: type: Legislative proposal published title: COM(2012)0120 body: EC commission: type: Legislative proposal
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  • body: EP responsible: False committee_full: Industry, Research and Energy committee: ITRE
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  • body: EP responsible: False committee_full: Transport and Tourism committee: TRAN
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    Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships, 2009: ratification or accession by Member States
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