POL-017 - Requirements for Registration and Cancellation of Registration for Last Voyage to an Environmentally Sound Ship Recycling Facility (‘Green Ship Recycling Program’)

POL-017

Rev. 08/24

Office of Deputy

Commissioner of Maritime Affairs

TO: ALL SHIPOWNERS, OPERATORS, MASTERS AND OFFICERS OF MERCHANT

SHIPS, AND AUTHORIZED CLASSIFICATION SOCIETIES

SUBJECT: Requirements for Registration and Cancellation of Registration for Last Voyage to an Environmentally Sound Ship Recycling Facility (‘Green Ship Recycling Program’) References:

1. Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships, 2009 – Hong Kong Convention
2. Marine Notice POL-016
3. Resolution MEPC.379(80) - 2023 Guidelines for the Development of the Inventory of Hazardous Materials
4. Resolution MEPC.222(64) – 2012 Guidelines for the Survey and Certification of Ships under the Hong Kong Convention
5. Resolution MEPC.211(63) – 2012 Guidelines for the Authorization of Ship Recycling Facilities
6. MEPC.210(63) - 2012 Guidelines for Safe and Environmentally Sound Ship Recycling (g) Resolution MEPC.196(62) – 2011 Guidelines for the Development of the Ship Recycling Plan PURPOSE:

This Notice promulgates the Liberian Administration’s requirements for registration and cancellation of registration of ships for the purpose of performing a single last voyage to a safe and environmentally sound ship recycling facility (“Green Ship Recycling Facility”).

BACKGROUND:

Ships sold for recycling may contain environmentally hazardous substances such as asbestos, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), ozone-depleting substances, heavy metals, and other hazardous materials. These substances may create unsafe working conditions, health risks for workers and the population in the vicinity of the ship recycling facility as well as adverse effects on the local environment.

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Inquiries concerning the subject of this Notice should be directed to the Office of the Deputy Commissioner, Republic of

Liberia, the Liberian International Ship & Corporate Registry, 22980 Indian Creek Drive., Suite 200, Dulles, VA 20166, USA. The most current version of all Marine Notices are available in the Online Library at: http://www.liscr.com

The Administration is committed to safe and environmentally-sound ship recycling. Building upon its ratification of the Hong Kong Convention, the Administration is introducing a ‘Green Ship Recycling’ Program prior to the Convention’s before the Hong Kong Convention comes into force. This program aims to ensure Liberian-flagged ships reaching the end of their operational lives are recycled at facilities.

This initiative also supports shipowners committed to fleet-wide compliance with the Responsible Ship Recycling Standards (“RSRS”) and IMO Assembly Resolution A.1191(33) recommendations for technical cooperation programs and voluntary assessment of ship recycling facilities for compliance with the Hong Kong Convention.

For the purpose of this Notice, a Green Ship Recycling Facility means a Ship Recycling Facility authorized by the Competent Authority, including organizations recognized by the Competent Authority, to recycle ships in a safe and environmentally sound manner in compliance with the Hong Kong Convention and the Ship Recycling Plan. A Green Ship Recycling Facility shall hold a valid Document/Statement of Authorization to conduct ship recycling.

APPLICABILITY

This Notice applies to all Liberian-registered ships performing their last voyage to a Green Ship Recycling Facility.

1.0 REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS:

1.1 Subject to compliance with the requirements of this Notice, a ship may be registered (or re-registered) under the Liberian flag for the purpose of a single last voyage to a Green Ship Recycling Facility. The period of registration of the ship for this purpose shall be no longer than three (3) months.

1.2 General Ship Registration Requirements: To be eligible for registration for a single last voyage to a

Green Ship Recycling Facility, the following information and documents should be presented in addition to the standard registration requirements:

1. Name and location of the Green Ship Recycling Facility where the ship is scheduled for recycling;
2. Green Ship Recycling Facility Document/Statement of Authorization to conduct ship recycling issued by the Competent Authority or organization recognized by the

Competent Authority; iii. Green Ship Recycling Facility’s confirmation that the ship has been accepted for recycling;

1. Ship Recycling Plan (“SRP”) approved by the competent authority; or reviewed by the Administration (if proceeding for recycling prior to entry into force of the Hong Kong

Convention);

1. IHM Part I under the Hong Kong Convention;
2. IHM Parts II and III under the Hong Kong Convention;
3. Statement signed by the Green Ship Recycling Facility that the ship shall be dismantled in accordance with the environmentally friendly procedures required by IMO Guidelines for Safe and Environmentally Sound Ship Recycling and the Hong Kong

Convention. Refer to MEPC.210(63) (can be provided at the time of cancellation of

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registration); and

viii. International Ready for Recycling Certificate following the final survey (recommended before June 26, 2025; required on/after June 26, 2025).

1.3 Additional Flag Transfer Requirements: Ships transferred to the Liberian flag for the purpose of performing a last voyage to the Green Ship Recycling Facility, the ship shall be subject to a preregistration inspection and Administration approval.

1.4 Issuance of Certificates: Upon registration of the ship under Liberian flag for the purpose of performing a single last voyage and subject to submission of all the required documentation, the Administration will issue a Provisional Certificate of Registry valid for a period of three (3) months. The Provisional Certificate of Registry will only allow the ship to arrive at the selected Green Ship Recycling Facility, and will not permit the ship to be used for any commercial purpose, unless the ship must discharge cargo (already loaded at the time of registration) before the Certificate expiration date. The ship should maintain an updated IHM file for operationally-generated waste and stores in accordance with Resolution MEPC.379(80) - 2023 Guidelines for the Development of the Inventory of Hazardous Materials.

1.5 Extension of Registration: In exceptional cases and circumstances of force-majeure, the validity of which shall be determined by the Administration, the Provisional Certificate of Registry may be extended for up to three (3) months. This extension will not permit the ship to be used for any commercial purpose, unless the ship must discharge cargo (already loaded at the time of registration) before the Certificate expiration date. An application for extension shall be submitted to the Administration at least two (2) weeks before the expiration of the initial Provisional Certificate of Registry together with documentary evidence of circumstances justifying the extension.

1.6 CANCELLATION OF SHIP REGISTRATION: The ship’s Liberian flag registration will be cancelled upon commencement of recycling and/or submission of:

• 1. a Bill of Sale or equivalent document (if applicable); and/or
  2. a statement signed by the Green Ship Recycling Facility that the ship has arrived at the Green Ship Recycling Facility and that the ship will be dismantled and recycled pursuant to IMO Guidelines (MEPC.210(63)) for Safe and Environmentally Sound Ship Recycling; the Hong Kong Convention; and the Ship Recycling Plan.

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