Sustainable ship recycling - an opportunity for Germany?

DNV press release

In its 2021-2025 coalition agreement, the current German government writes: "We are strengthening shipbuilding along the entire value chain, including ship recycling, as the industrial core in Germany." The Deutsche Nautische Verein von 1868 e. V. (DNV) and the Maritime Cluster Norddeutschland e. V. (MCN) very much welcome this statement, as we see considerable challenges in the strengthening of the entire value chain proclaimed by the federal government - in particular the establishment of sustainable ship recycling - in Germany, from which an urgent need for action can be derived. As an important shipping centre with the great significance of its ports for the flow of goods in an export-oriented economy, Germany is also an important shipping and financing location. Added to this is its diverse shipyard, supplier and manufacturing industry.

Against the backdrop of rapidly growing demand for ship recycling, sustainable resource management requires the creation of capacities for a complete maritime circular economy. The industry expects demand for ship recycling in the coming years to exceed the level of the record year 2012. It is to be expected that all globally available ship recycling capacities - regardless of their standards - will not be able to cover the expected demand. This results in a growing responsibility for the entire maritime industry. Germany therefore not only has the potential, but also an almost unique opportunity to establish itself as a location for sustainable and competitive ship recycling if action is taken promptly.

The operation of sustainable ship recycling facilities would contribute significantly to the European interest in developing into a recycling society with a high level of resource utilisation efficiency. The sustainable recovery of important recyclable materials is gaining additional relevance due to the current geopolitical situation. Thanks to the additional infrastructure already in place, Germany has the potential to secure a special pioneering role for industrial and sustainable ship recycling.

It is therefore desirable that

• dismantling facilities should focus on dismantling ships and preparing them for recycling
• They could carry out this activity in a shipyard - in northern Germany, several ship recycling facilities in different federal states would be possible in the future. The demand for ship recycling would ensure high capacity utilisation. Jobs could be created to a considerable extent for each location

The DNV and the MCN therefore propose that all responsible ministries and authorities coordinate their efforts in order to clarify the legal situation and facilitate the rapid authorisation of ship recycling facilities in Germany.

Text: Dr Susanne Neumann, Head of the StFA Task Force at DNV

The entire paper is on the page: www.dnvev.de to find.