The Norwegian executive has supported Bangladesh’s ship-breaking industry by funding the SENSREC (Real and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships) Venture since 2015, which has been instrumental in the industry’s recent model. Håkon Arald Gulbrandsen, the newly appointed Norwegian ambassador to Bangladesh, expressed his pride at the project’s development and pledged continued give a take to to further invent the industry to meet international requirements.
In an interview with Mizanur Rahman Yousuf of The Enterprise Unusual on 31 October, at some stage in his visit to the shipbreaking yards in Sitakunda, Chattogram, Ambassador Gulbrandsen shared insights into the SENSREC Venture and its influence.
What’s the SENSREC Venture?
SENSREC is a collaboration between the Authorities of Norway and the World Maritime Organization (IMO) to present a take to creating countries, love Bangladesh, in imposing the Hong Kong World Convention for the Real and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships.
What’s the focus of the SENSREC Venture?
The project follows a comprehensive, integrated potential that emphasises coverage alignment, the establishment of institutional mechanisms, and governance systems. On the identical time, it builds the capacities of stakeholders in the ship recycling sector by promoting sustainable social and environmental practices.
The final aim of the SENSREC Venture is to abet the capacities of constructing countries to promote a upright transition and to put into effect sound measures that beef up effectively being, security, and environmental requirements at ship recycling yards. This aligns with the Hong Kong Convention’s requirements and supports the environmentally sound administration of hazardous damage and other materials generated from ship-breaking processes.
How has the project helped the industry invent?
Since its starting up in 2015, the SENSREC Venture in Bangladesh has completed a immense assortment of business and environmental studies on ship recycling, developed and deployed practicing materials for ship recycling staff, and contributed to infrastructure model, including providers for the therapy, storage, and disposal of hazardous wastes from recycling operations. SENSREC Bangladesh is currently in its third piece.
Does the intention of the industry meet your expectations?
Over the past two days, I in fact own visited 12 yards. The administration groups are working very onerous to reach international requirements and to meet the requirements of the Hong Kong Convention. They own got made necessary investments in infrastructural model, and I in fact love their efforts.
Why does the Norwegian executive give a take to the ship-breaking industry?
Norway is a necessary player in the worldwide maritime sector. We desire a salvage and environmentally sound industry to recycle our stop-of-life ships. As Bangladesh’s ship-breaking industry reveals doable to invent into an environmentally pleasant recycling industry, we undertook this project to support in its development.
Can the developed yards meet the requirements for Norwegian shipping companies to send their ships for recycling?
The industry is composed evolving. About a yards own got green certificates, whereas many others are in the certification route of. Finally, it’s far as much as shipowners to determine on. When the Hong Kong Convention comes into force on 26 June 2025, it’s far anticipated to very much influence the industry’s route. Norwegian shipowners might perchance perchance visit the yards, and if they meet the principal requirements, they might perchance unbiased make a choice to send their ships right here for recycling essentially essentially based on novel regulations.
What else does the industry need to fulfil your entire requirements?
The industry has already made in fact intensive development in recent years. Alternate householders ought to composed continue creating various key aspects. There are many opportunities on the horizon, and the industry needs to be prepared to take them.
What’s the long bustle of the Bangladeshi ship-breaking industry?
The industry holds in fact intensive doable and has already confirmed itself as a wanted piece of the worldwide recycling industry. The SENSREC Venture will continue to present a take to its model. We’re very overjoyed to make a contribution to the industry’s development by this project.
