Chinese ship recycler earns certificate

Chinese ship recycling facility Jiangsu Changrong Steel has been issued a Statement of Compliance (SOC) from Nippon Kaiji ClassNK (ClassNK) stating the company is in line with the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships 2009 (Hong Kong Convention). The designation makes Jiangsu only the fourth facility in the world to earn the certification, according to the company.

Japan-based ClassNK is a ship classification society engaged in a ship and ship-related activities and services designed to promote the protection of human life and property at sea as well as protection of the marine environment.

The Jiangsu Changrong Steel facility says it worked closely with the nearby shipbuilding and repair yard Chengxi Shipyard (Xinrong) Co. Ltd., whose stakeholders include China State Shipbuilding Corp. and Mitsui & Co., to support the expansion and improvement of its recycling facilities.

Under the Hong Kong Convention, ship recycling facilities must submit a Ship Recycling Facility Plan (SRFP) that demonstrates the recycling methods being implemented are safe and environmentally sound to relevant authorities.

Jiangsu Changrong Steel began developing its SRFP in early 2013 and turned to ClassNK to certify its SRFP contents prior to the adoption of the new convention. Working as a third-party certification body, ClassNK auditors conducted an investigation of the facility and the contents of its SRFP before issuing a Statement of Compliance certifying the facilities and procedures were fully in accordance with the Hong Kong Convention requirements.

Other companies receiving the certification include Jiangmen Zhongxin Shipbreaking & Steel Co., Ltd. of Guangdong, China; Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Marine Service Co. Ltd. of Liaoning, China; and Miyaji Salvage of Kagawa, Japan.