Ship Dismantling Technology | ‘Circular’ Recycling
In the Netherlands there’s a brand new ship dismantling technology underway that will hopefully stop the need to sell end-of-life ships. Instead, recycle the materials to build new ships.
This new method being formed is based on complete ‘circularity’, highly automated procedures and no direct human involvement. By the end of 2023 it is hoped that there shall be a pilot facility set up to showcase this revolutionary ship dismantling technology.
Circularity is a term used to define systems which ‘designs out waste and pollution, keeping products and materials in use, and regenerating natural systems’, according to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation.
The first dismantling yard will most probably be located in the south west of the Netherlands. Frank Geerdink, who is the founder of Circular Marine Technologies International (CMT) said they shall first take a 3,000 light displacement ton (ldt) ship for recycling, followed by a larger 8,000 ldt unit. This is to show proof of concept.
If the initial facility proves the concept two more shall be established, Geerdink told Seatrad, revealing that he is already in talks with other potential investors about setting up recycling sites around the world. Eventually, these revolutionary ‘circular’ Dismantling facilities will be able to take on ships up to 455 metres in length.
Once the facilities are up and running the ship owners who have end-of-life ships will be encouraged to take them there without being cleaned in any way prior. At the facilities the end-of-life ships shall be sliced “like a loaf of bread”. Structures will then be washed off with 2,500 tonnes of recycled water to remove debris, residues, oils and chemicals.
Any organic matter found shall be taken to a plant and turned into LNG, hydrogen and finally electricity. This shall be used to run the facility, with significant volumes of excess electricity supplied to the local grid. Metals such as aluminum, copper, brass and bronze shall be sold on. The steel leftover will be made into green steel plates for the construction of new assets. The ability to use this new found green steel at local shipyards will make the ship construction process far more carbon efficient.
Currently in Europe owners are only allowed to recycle end-of-life ships in yards validated under the EU Ship Recycling Regulation. India, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Turkey are the only other recycling countries. About a dozen facilities in Turkey have now been approved under the EU SRR, but none has been certified on the Indian subcontinent.
Over time international shipping has become more and more of necessity. The issue facing freight forwarding companies is; how good is it for the environment and how can we reduce this impact? This is a constant question being asked. As this topic is at the forefront of the industry, various companies are coming up with new and innovative ways to battle the CO2 emissions crisis. To be able to dismantle an end-of-life ship to reduce the Shipping industry’s carbon footprint is a step in the right direction.
SOURCE: seatrade-maritime.com
