The IMO adopted the HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION FOR THE SAFE AND ENVIRONMENTALLY SOUND RECYCLING OF SHIPS in 2009. It is aimed at ensuring that ships, when being recycled after reaching the end of their operational lives, do not pose any unnecessary risk to human health and safety or to the environment. In addition, the Convention seeks to ensure the proper management of hazardous materials on board ships. Regulation (EU) No 1257/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 November 2013 on ship recycling and amending Regulation (EC) 1013/2006 and Directive 2009/16/EC was published in the Official Journal6 of the EU on 10 December 2013. It entered into force on 30 December 2013.
Hazardous materials can impair our life and environment if treated without proper management. it has to be identified, managed and recycled during the whole ship lifecycle, from marine product supply chain, the newbuilding, ship repairing and finally to the ship recycling. While the Convention still relies on the concept of a Green Passport , if not all, operations, the term itself is no longer used. It is now known as the Inventory of Hazardous Materials (IHM), though its intention remains identical. The Part I of the IHM still covers the whole life of the ship, from construction and operation to preparation for scrapping at the end of the ship s useful life.
All ships flying the flag of a EU member state shall be subject to a survey regime and they shall carry on board a ship specific Inventory Certificate issued by the administration or a RO authorised by it and supplemented by Part I of the IHM. When calling at a port or anchorage of a EU member state, all ships flying the flag of a third country shall carry on board a ship specific statement of compliance issued by the relevant authorities of the third country whose flag the ship is flying or an organisation authorised by them and supplemented by Part I of the IHM.
The preparation of an Inventory of Hazardous Materials (IHM) for existing ships requires the expertise of certified professionals to ensure full compliance with international conventions and classification standards.
At MITeK, our HazMat experts, certified by DNV GL, provide comprehensive IHM surveys to meet the requirements for obtaining an International Certificate on Inventory of Hazardous Materials and the International Ready for Recycling Certificate.
Our certified inspectors carry out a detailed visual inspection and collect approximately 100-120 samples over two working days onboard the vessel.
The collected samples are sent to an ISO 17025-accredited laboratory for analysis to identify and quantify hazardous materials present in the ship’s structure and systems.
Based on the onboard inspection and laboratory results, we compile the final IHM report, ensuring compliance with class requirements and submission to the classification society.
The IHM report is submitted through the client to the classification society for approval. Once approved, a Statement of Compliance (SOC) is issued, verifying the vessel’s readiness for recycling.
MITeK supports shipyards in the preparation of Part I of the Inventory of Hazardous Materials (IHM) during the shipbuilding process. With experience working alongside numerous shipyards, we ensure full compliance with the EU Ship Recycling Regulation and the IMO Hong Kong Convention.
The preparation of the IHM for newbuilds is a detailed and intricate process involving multiple stakeholders. Our team provides end-to-end assistance, including:
We help shipyards collect, verify, and file the required declarations of conformity for all materials used during construction.
Ensuring adherence to international standards and regulations for sustainable and responsible ship recycling.
To streamline the IHM preparation process, MITeK has developed a customized digital software solution that enhances efficiency and accuracy. Key features include:
Our software integrates seamlessly with the client’s procurement systems, enabling automatic acquisition of daily material order details specific to the vessel under construction.
The platform simplifies the filing and preparation of Part I of the IHM, ensuring all materials and processes are documented accurately and transparently.
Maintaining Part I of the Inventory of Hazardous Materials (IHM) throughout a vessel’s lifecycle is a critical responsibility for shipowners. Proper maintenance ensures that the IHM remains up-to-date, accurately reflecting any new installations containing hazardous materials (as defined in Annex II of the applicable regulation) and any structural or equipment changes made to the vessel.
At MITeK, we offer innovative solutions and hands-on support to help shipowners meet these requirements with ease and efficiency.
Our cutting-edge MITeK IHM software simplifies the process of maintaining an updated IHM by:
For shipowners seeking to reduce the workload on their procurement and technical departments, we provide comprehensive IHM updating and maintenance services. Our team handles the ongoing updates required throughout the vessel’s lifecycle, ensuring:
Choose MITeK for reliable, efficient, and compliant IHM services throughout your vessel’s lifecycle.
Contact our team today for expert advice and reliable support tailored to your operational needs.
