End-of-life ships are a valuable source of high-quality secondary raw materials for European steelmaking. Between 70% and 95% of a ship’s weight can be recovered and demand for these materials is expected to grow as electric arc furnaces replace part of Europe’s primary steelmaking capacity.

Yet the European Commission mission is proposing to approve Shree Ram and YSI Recyclers in India - two yards that rely on beaching: dismantling vessels directly on intertidal mudflats. This method is not allowed in any EU Member State and does not meet EU requirements.

So the questions remains: individual yards may commit to going beyond national requirements but without strong enforcement, how can compliance with EU standards be guaranteed in third countries?

Together with industry, recyclers, trade unions and environmental organisations, EUROFER wrote to Commissioners Jessika Roswalll and Stéphane Séjourné.