The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has implemented the Ship Recycling Regulation (UAE SRR) to promote environmentally sound and safe ship recycling practices, in alignment with the Hong Kong Convention, which comes into force on 26 June.
The UAE SRR regulation, effective from 26 June 2025, prohibit beaching and landing for ship recycling, mandate the use of dry docks or equivalent infrastructure and ensure proper management of hazardous materials. The UAE SRR is aligned with international standards like the Hong Kong Convention and the EU SRR, and it will apply to UAE-flagged ships and foreign ships recycled within the UAE.
Key provisions of the UAE ship recycling regulation
- Inventory of Hazardous Materials (IHM) for new ships: Starting from 26 June 2025, all newly built ships under the UAE flag with a construction contract concluded on or after this date, or where the keel is laid or the ship reaches a similar construction stage, must have an IHM. Additionally, ships delivered after 26 December 2027 and those with 500 gross tonnage (GT) or above are also required to maintain an IHM on board. The inventory must identify all hazardous materials specified in Annex 1 & 2 including their location and approximate quantities.
- IHM Compliance for existing ships: Existing UAE-flagged ships must comply with IHM requirements by 26 June 2030 or before they go for recycling. For compliance, existing ships should have a plan detailing the visual/sampling checks to develop their IHM, following relevant IMO guidelines.
- Certification and compliance: Ships operating in UAE waters or owned by UAE-based companies must be certified for IHM compliance, ensuring that shipowners have taken appropriate steps for environmentally sound recycling.
- Safe recycling practices: The UAE SRR emphasizes safe and environmentally sound ship recycling, with guidelines for ship recycling facilities to prioritize worker safety and prevent pollution. These guidelines align with best practices from the Hong Kong Convention, providing a robust framework for sustainable ship recycling.
The UAE SRR imposes stricter requirements than the EU Ship Recycling Regulation (EU SRR) by prohibiting not only the beaching but also the landing method.
To remind, the EU SRR came into force on 31 December 2018 and the European Commission published on February 2025 an evaluation of the results of the EU Ship Recycling Regulation highlighting that it has contributed to higher environmental and social standards in ship recycling practices, however its effectiveness has been significantly undermined by the practice of shipowners reflagging vessels from an EU Member State to a non-EU flag shortly before recycling.
