Govt targets 100-plus green-certified ship recycling yards

The BNP government has set a target to raise the number of green-certified ship recycling yards in the country to at least 100 from 31, Industries and Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir said on Monday.

He noted that currently several more shipbreaking yards are undergoing green certification.

Muktadir made the remarks as chief guest at a workshop jointly organised by the Ministry of Industries and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) at a hotel in the capital's Karwan Bazar.

The workshop was held to discuss a feasibility study report on setting up a Treatment, Storage and Disposal Facility (TSDF) centre under the "Bangladesh Safe and Environment-Friendly Ship Recycling Project."

Muktadir said Bangladesh remains one of the world's leading countries in ship recycling, having once surpassed even India in tonnage terms. "Although the country has slipped somewhat in recent times, it still holds a significant position in the global ship recycling industry."

Calling the sector vital to the national economy, the minister said it provides employment for a large number of people, while scrap from ships serves as a key raw material source for the country's steel industry.

He stressed that the sector's growth must be ensured in a responsible and environment-friendly manner, adding that the government's goal is to make the industry more modern, safe and sustainable through compliance with international conventions and environmental standards.

To take the number of green-certified yards to a hundred-plus, the minister emphasised technical and financial support alongside effective enforcement of environmental compliance requirements.

Describing hazardous waste management as one of the biggest challenges in ship recycling, Muktadir said large ships generate various hazardous materials and waste during dismantling, which, if not properly managed, pose risks to the environment and public health.

He said the proposed TSDF would play a key role in safely and scientifically collecting, storing, treating and disposing of such waste.

The proposed TSDF is expected to handle a major share of hazardous waste from the ship recycling industry, while also creating scope for managing hazardous waste from other industrial sources, including e-waste.

The minister expressed hope that the facility would help align the sector with international environmental standards and enhance Bangladesh's competitiveness in the global market.

He said a coordinated effort involving the government, yard owners, relevant institutions and international partners could transform the ship recycling sector into a safer, more modern and sustainable industry.