EU-Parliament Says No to Scrap Taxes
The European Parliament has today rejected a proposal for a European tax charge for ship dismantling. This is a big step closer to the Hong Kong Convention, which ensures tight global rules for sustainable dismantling, according to Danish Shipowners Association.
“Regional regulations in the EU is the wrong way to go, since it does not solve the root of the problem – the unacceptability of scrapping that remain to some extent takes place in Asia”, says chief consultant of the Danish Shipowners, Maria Bruun Skipper.
“Danish Shipowners Association works for tighter and more environmentally friendly legislation on ship dismantling. But the legislation must be global if it is to have the proper effect. The global law is on its way, as the so-called Hong Kong Convention, which the UN International Maritime Organization, IMO, adopted in 2009, will enter into force once it is ratified by a sufficient number of countries”, continues Maria Bruun Skipper.
Danish Shipowners’ Association therefore believes that it is good that the European Parliament has today rejected a proposal for a regional EU tax, which would have stalled the work for an effective global agreement.
“An EU agreement promoting the implementation of the Hong Kong Convention, is the best for the environment and shipyard workers. And scrapping yards in Asia are actually starting to adjust to the environmental requirements of future global legislation”, she says.
Together with the international nests organizations, the Danish Shipowners urge governments worldwide to urgently implement the Hong Kong Convention.
Others are not nearly as satisfied as Danish Shipowners’ Association about the outcome of the European Parliament’s vote. The umbrella organization NGO Shipbreaking Platform has condemned today’s vote.
“The idea ofa fund has been discussed for 15 years at European level. Lets face it. Parliament has failed to maintain its own principles and deliver as promised”, says Patrizia Heidegger, executive director of the NGO Shipbreaking Platform.
Parliament must now reach an agreement with the Council of Ministers, and the Shipowners’ Association will continue to work to ensure that EU legislation reflects Hong Kong Convention and does not offer regional specific regulations.
Source: Danish Shipowners Association