A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between the Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, and A.P. Moller – Maersk to evaluate and establish a ship recycling initiative in the Kingdom of Bahrain.
The signing ceremony was also attended by strategic partners taking part in the project, which included the Arab Shipbuilding and Repair Yard Company (ASRY), SULB Company, and APM Terminals Bahrain, the operator of Khalifa Bin Salman Port and a subsidiary of A.P. Moller – Maersk.
According to the MoU, both the Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications and the Ministry of Industry and Commerce will provide regulatory support to ASRY, which, in turn, will be responsible for equipping the yard and docks with the necessary requirements for the ship recycling process. A.P. Moller – Maersk, an integrated logistics company, will serve as the technical and operational advisor, providing expertise on implementing sustainable practices and responsible standards in ship recycling. SULB will utilize the steel from the ship recycling process and further process and recycle it for the local and international markets.
The MoU, the first of its kind in the Kingdom of Bahrain, aims to develop a ship recycling and green steel ecosystem in Bahrain by establishing collaboration between the Government and industry stakeholders and ensuring sustainability during the entire process. The MoU also exemplifies successful public-private partnerships in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Bahrain’s Economic Vision 2030.
The MoU signing is a testament to the Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications’ efforts in developing the maritime sector, strengthening Bahrain’s position as a regional center for sustainable and responsible ship recycling, catering to the increasing demand for ship recycling and producing green steel through processes that are at par with best environmental practices and standards. Bahrain is strengthening its position to address the anticipated rapid increase in demand by 2028 through this collaboration.
Maersk brings invaluable expertise with a track record of recycling as many as 22 vessels globally over the last eight years without a single incident or loss of time due to incidents.
It is worth noting that the shipping industry accounts for three percent of all global greenhouse emissions. Adopting safe and sustainable ship recycling practices will contribute to combatting climate change in line with the International Maritime Organization’s strategy to reduce emissions from international shipping.
Photo credit: iStock/ disqis
