Portuguese 
English 
Spanish 
3 min of reading 
0 comments 
Chamber Approves Bill With New Rules for Ship and Vessel Recycling, Strengthening Environmental Security and Preparing Brazil for International Standards in the Naval Industry.
The Chamber of Deputies’ Committee on Transportation and Traffic approved a bill that creates new rules for the recycling of ships and other vessels in Brazil. The proposal defines guidelines for the management and handling of this activity, aligning the country with the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships, which will come into effect on June 26, 2025.
Rules Cover Platforms and Ships in Brazilian Waters
The bill’s regulations apply to all vessels in waters under Brazilian jurisdiction, including floating and fixed platforms, such as those used in the oil industry. Only vessels of the Brazilian Navy and those shorter than eight meters and without engines are excluded from the scope.
The approved text also establishes the requirement that ships and vessels intended for recycling must have a specific plan for the process, including the management of hazardous materials and waste, which must have its own management plan approved by an environmental agency.
-
While South Korea and Japan try to regain ground in shipbuilding, China is surging as a powerhouse in the sector and already controls almost 90% of global ship orders.
-
Port of Rio receives the first 366-meter ship after a R$ 163 million dredging in the access channel of Guanabara Bay
-
Mystery of the Mary Celeste, the ghost ship of 1872, may finally have been unraveled by science with a new chemical hypothesis
-
Valemax Vale Espírito Santo sets record with 400,000 tons of ore in Tubarão
Alignment with International Standards
The proposal is based on the Hong Kong Convention, adopted in 2009 by the International Maritime Organization, and seeks to meet international requirements related to environmental protection, occupational health, and safety in vessel recycling.
The convention defines rules for the use and control of hazardous materials in ships and requires vessels from signatory countries or using the ports of those countries to maintain an updated inventory of these materials.
According to the rapporteur of the matter, Deputy Alexandre Lindenmeyer (PT-RS), aligning with the convention is essential for Brazilian shipyards to compete in the international ship recycling market.
“Brazil’s adherence to this convention is essential for Brazilian shipyards to recycle vessels registered in adhering countries,” he stated.
Recycling Plan and Mandatory Inspections
According to the bill, all vessels with a gross tonnage greater than 300 intended for recycling must have a recycling plan developed by the responsible shipyard operator. This plan can only be executed after approval by the competent environmental agency.
Before the start of recycling, an inspection will be mandatory to verify, among other aspects, whether the vessel’s hazardous materials inventory meets legal requirements. The inspections must be regulated by the maritime authority, which will also be responsible for issuing the necessary certificates for the process.
For vessels with a gross tonnage equal to or less than 300, a recycling plan will not be required; however, compliance with general safety and environmental management standards will remain mandatory.
New Requirements for Foreign Vessels
The approved text stipulates that foreign vessels using Brazilian ports must comply with the Hong Kong Convention’s requirements regarding the hazardous materials inventory. For existing ships, the beginning of the inventory requirement will be defined by specific regulations.
Among the approved amendments is the transfer of environmental competencies from the Maritime Authority to the competent environmental agencies, as recommended by the Brazilian Navy.
Next Steps in the Bill’s Processing
The bill, which is being processed in a conclusive manner, will still be analyzed by the Committee on Constitution, Justice, and Citizenship (CCJ). If approved, it will proceed to the Senate and, subsequently, to presidential sanction.
The ultimate goal is to definitively regulate ship recycling in the country, making the process safer and aligned with international standards for environmental protection and the health of workers involved in the activity.
Source: Chamber News Agency
-
1 person reacted to this.