The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is introducing a comprehensive ship recycling regulation aimed at curbing environmentally harmful practices and promoting responsible ship ownership.
The UAE Ship Recycling Regulation (UAE SRR) explicitly prohibits beaching and landing activities, emphasizing the need for high-standard recycling facilities.
The new regulations come into effect concurrently with the enforcement of the revamped UAE maritime law on March 29, 2024, marking a significant overhaul after 42 years.
The previous law mandated a closed national registry, restricting ship ownership to UAE nationals or companies with 51% ownership by UAE nationals.
However, the updated law opens the registry to foreign ship owners holding 100% shares, provided they establish a genuine link by having their management company based in the UAE.
The regulation applies to ship recycling facilities operating in the UAE and includes UAE-flagged ships, foreign ships recycled in the UAE, foreign ships where the decision to recycle was made while the vessel was in UAE waters and foreign ships commencing the final voyage for recycling directly from UAE waters.
In addition, new ships under the UAE flag must have an Inventory of Hazardous Materials (IHM) on board, identifying hazardous materials, their location, and quantities.
Existing UAE-flagged ships must comply with IHM requirements by June 26, 2030, or before undergoing recycling.
Ship owners are obligated to adhere to specific requirements, including notifying the administration before ship recycling, minimizing residues, and providing information for the ship recycling plan.
Unlike its predecessor, the UAE SRR explicitly bans beaching and landing practices, aligning itself with the European Ship Recycling Regulation (EU SRR).
The regulation also aims to ensure that hazardous waste resulting from ship recycling is subject to strict controls, enhancing safety measures during the process.
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