News

IMO must ensure equivalent of control to the Basel Convention as demanded by EU and the Parties to Basel

Amsterdam , July 12, 2005 - In the run up to Marine Environmental Protection Committee at the International Maritime Organization (between 18-22 July 2005), both the EU and the Basel Convention parties discussed the work program of IMO on shiprecycling and the Joint Working Group.

The issue of shipbreaking was discussed in the EU Environment and Transport Council at the end of June. It was for the very first time that the member states were unanimous in their position on shipbreaking. The environment council called on IMO to establish mandatory reporting on ship disposal that offered control equivalent to the Basel Convention. The adopted council conclusions sent a "strong message" that IMO must develop rules in accordance with the Basel Convention.

Greenpeace and BAN elaborated what 'equivalent level of control' to the Basel Convention means. See our submissions: Obligations and opportunities for a mandatory alternate or additional instrument to the Basel Convention for end-of-life ships and Environmentally sound management of dismantling of single hull oil tankers.

The Basel Convention parties met at Geneva from 4 till 8 July 2005. It was decided to evaluate whether efforts in other fora such as the IMO will fulfill the requirements of the Basel Convention and the Decision of its Parties.