Asbestos Remains the Hidden Killer as Ships Fail to Comply with IMO Regulations
Half of New Build Vessels Shown to Still Contain the Hazardous Material
WORLDWIDE – There can be very few people unaware of the long term health risks associated with the use of asbestos, hence the widespread banning of using the material in a plethora of places and processes where it would previously been the first option.
It was the perceived risk which led to the mandatory regulations banning asbestos installation in any part of a merchant vessel constructed after 2011, by order of the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) SOLAS regulation II-1/3-5, which only permits its use in certain specified areas (rotary vane compressors and thermal insulation >1000C, for example).
More Than 65% Of All Ships Are Operating With Systems Containing Asbestos
Despite the introduction ten years ago of regulations prohibiting the use of asbestos materials onboard ship, a significant number of existing and newbuild vessels continue to operate systems and machinery containing the hazardous substance.
According to maritime testing facility Maritec, which carried out asbestos surveys for IMO compliance between 2011 and 2020, more than 55% of in-service vessels and 50% of all newbuilds were found to contain asbestos materials.
John Rendi, General Manager, Environmental Services, Maritec, said: “Although newbuild ships are delivered with an asbestos free declaration, in many cases asbestos has been found onboard during subsequent surveys, or port state inspections.
More Than 65% of Ships Contain Asbestos
Maritime Activity Reports, Inc.
(Photo: Maritec)
A significant number of existing and newbuild vessels are operating systems and machinery containing asbestos despite regulations introduced 10 years prohibiting the use of the hazardous substance on board, according to maritime testing facility Maritec.
Maritec, which carried out asbestos surveys for IMO compliance between 2011 and 2020, said more than 55% of in-service vessels and 50% of all newbuilds were found to contain asbestos materials.
John Rendi, General Manager, Environmental Services, Maritec, said, “Although newbuild ships are delivered with an asbestos free declaration, in many cases asbestos has been found onboard during subsequent surveys, or port state inspections.
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