VietNamNet Bridge – Starting next year, enterprises and individuals can import used ships for dismantlement for scrap steel if they meet environment requirements set by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, according to a draft decree on guidelines for the environment protection law.

The draft decree was put forth to collect opinions from enterprises at a conference co-held by the ministry and the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry last week so that the ministry could complete the draft and submit it to the Government for approval.

Duong Thanh An, head of the department of legislation under the Vietnam Environment Administration, said it is the first time Vietnam has regulations on importing and demolishing secondhand ships.

Although many scientists object to the move, enterprises see the draft as beneficial as it will help remove difficulties for those currently using secondhand foreign-flagged vessels. The new rule, if endorsed, will allow enterprises to demolish such ships for scrap steel instead of sending such deteriorating vessels abroad.

Therefore, the ministry has decided to put the issue of importing used ships in the environmental protection law, An said.

According to the draft decree, imports of used ships for demolishing is treated like imports of scrap and therefore, must follow environmental regulations applied on scrap imports.

Enterprises and individuals owning facilities to demolish imported used ships must fulfill environmental protection requirements to get permission to import such ships.

In particular, enterprises are asked to report the state of used ships to be imported as well as substances on the ship, ensuring that the ship meets environmental standards. Such enterprises must also obtain environmental protection certificates for their demolishing facilities.    

SGT/VNN