Green Passports for Ships

The term “Green Passport” is an unofficial name that came about during the Basel Convention and discussions over safer ship recycling. The idea of a green passport was for all vessels to carry an document listing all the potentially hazardous materials on board a vessel. This document would stay with the ship throughout its lifespan and up until it is decommissioned and sent to the ship breaking yard. This is what is now known as an Inventory of Hazardous Materials (IHM) which will come into place with the Hong Kong Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships.

Having such a document would ensure that no workers on board the vessel or at the ship breaking yard would have to take the risk of being exposed to such dangers as asbestos, PCBs, TBTs and others.

Inventory of Hazardous Materials

In 2009 the Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships was held in Hong Kong. The convention turned the colloquial term ‘green passport’ into an ‘Inventory of Hazardous Materials’ . Essentially then the terms ‘green passport’ and ‘inventory of hazardous materials’ refer to the same thing. Once the Hong Kong Convention is enforced all vessels, across the world, over the weight of 500GT will have to carry an inventory of hazardous materials (or green passport as it was previously known). The inventory will list all known hazardous materials and their locations on board the vessels, thereby ensuring the safety of crew and workers.

Lucion Marine

Lucion have been working with hazardous materials both on land and at sea for a number of years. Our teams are highly experienced and are the first UK company to be accredited to carry out inventory of hazardous materials by Lloyds Register. We regularly provide inventories for both commercial and defence vessels, one off ships and larger fleets.  Our in house testing laboratory is based in the UK. We regularly carry out green passports for vessels around the world, as our teams are able to meet our clients at all international ports.

We understand the importance of remaining up to date and aware of moving legislation in the shipping industry. More and more shipping companies wish to have their vessels provided with an inventory of hazardous materials now, to be prepared for the implementation of the Hong Kong Convention 2009. This allows vessels to access ports and recycling yards that are tightening their health and safety requirements.

Contact Lucion Marine

To find out more about the services Lucion Marine provide, don’t hesitate to contact us. You can find all our details here.