Convenient ship breaking: Shortcomings of environmental obligations of EU ship owners and possible solutions

Abstract

This thesis talks about the situation regarding ship breaking of vessels owned by EU owners. It assesses the current framework and its shortcomings, before offering possible solutions. It especially analyzes the most important instruments such as the Basel Convention and the Hong Kong Convention, which is not yet in force, besides EU legislation such as the EU Ship Recycling Regulation. The possibilities of strengthening the existing instruments are discussed. It is also assessed how the Hong Kong Convention could enter into force and how an EU Ship Recycling License could help solve the issues.