As the shipping industry continues to evolve, regulations surrounding the safe and environmentally sound recycling of ships have become increasingly important. The European Union has implemented the EU Ship Recycling Regulations (EUSRR) which require all vessels flying an EU member state flag, or any flagged vessel calling EU member state ports, to carry a valid Inventory of Hazardous Materials (IHM) onboard. This certificate must detail any hazardous materials found within the vessel’s construction and equipment, as well as their location and quantity.
In addition to the EU SRR, the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) has also implemented the Hong Kong Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships (HKC), which also requires ships to carry a valid IHM. The HKC is not yet in force, but it is expected to be ratified in the near future, further emphasizing the importance of IHM compliance for shipowners.
As a ship owner, staying compliant with IHM regulations can be a daunting task. It is not only mandatory for these vessels to have an IHM, but it must also be maintained throughout the vessel’s lifetime. This requires ship owners to establish necessary procedures on-board the ship and within their companies to fulfill their long-term environmental responsibilities.
One of the key components of IHM compliance is maintaining an IHM throughout the vessel’s lifetime, also known as IHM Life Cycle Maintenance. According to the EU SRR and the HKC, Part I of the IHM should be properly maintained and updated to reflect new installations containing hazardous materials and relevant changes in the structure and equipment of the ship. This process can be complex and time-consuming for ship owners, but it is crucial in ensuring the safety of crew members and the safe handling of materials during recycling.
We at Varuna Marine Services B.V. provide the expertise and services necessary for shipowners to comply with IHM regulations and fulfill their environmental responsibilities. As a certified provider with all major classification society and flag states, we have the expertise and global network of certified Hazmat experts to deliver a technically sound IHM inspection with a high degree of efficiency. Additionally, we offer IHM Life Cycle Maintenance through our sister company, Varuna Sentinels BV. Our in-house team of experts uses state-of-the-art software to carry out IHM Maintenance and our cloud-based software is fully compliant with European GDPR regulations.
We also offer IHM Life Cycle Maintenance through our sister company, Varuna Sentinels BV. Our in-house team of experts uses state-of-the-art software to carry out IHM Maintenance and our cloud-based software is fully compliant with European GDPR regulations. Additionally, our owner’s dashboard provides access to all key performance indicators and an updated IHM report is readily available for any PSC, Flag, or Class audit.
But our services don’t stop there. We also offer ongoing IHM Lifecycle Maintenance through our sister company Varuna Sentinels B.V. This ensures that the IHM is properly updated and maintained to reflect any new installations or changes to the ship’s structure and equipment.
By acting as the shipowner’s Designated Person for IHM Maintenance and utilizing state-of-the-art software, we ensure that procedures are in place to fulfill the shipowner’s long-term environmental responsibilities.
By choosing to work with us, ship owners can have peace of mind that their IHM compliance is in good hands. Our services ensure that the IHM is properly updated and maintained to reflect any new installations or changes to the ship’s structure and equipment. We act as the shipowner’s Designated Person for IHM Maintenance and utilize state-of-the-art software to ensure that procedures are in place to fulfill the shipowner’s long-term environmental responsibilities.
In summary, the EU Ship Recycling Regulations and the IMO Hong Kong Convention have made it mandatory for all vessels calling EU ports and all ships to have a valid and maintained IHM. This certificate ensures the safety of crew members and the safe handling of materials at the point of recycling.
We at Varuna Marine Services B.V. and Varuna Sentinels B.V. provide the expertise and services necessary for shipowners to comply with these regulations and fulfill their environmental responsibilities.
Contact us at [email protected] to discuss your specific requirements.
