EU Commission – Ship Recycling Facilities

On February 19, the European Commission released the 14th version of its list of approved ship recycling facilities.

Notably, the updated list still excludes facilities from Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan—three countries that dominate the global ship recycling industry. According to data from ISL Bremen, these nations accounted for 94.1% of all ship recycling by tonnage worldwide in 2023. All three have already ratified the International Maritime Organization’s Hong Kong Convention (HKC) on the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships.

With the HKC set to come into force in June 2025, industry stakeholders are urging the European Commission to fully align its regulations with the international convention. The aim is to streamline procedures, reduce unnecessary bureaucracy, and ensure fair competition across global markets.

This latest update to the list includes the addition of one new facility in the Netherlands. However, two others have been removed—one in Latvia and another in Lithuania. Additionally, three existing authorizations have been renewed: a Danish facility (which has adjusted its maximum annual recycling capacity), and two others in Belgium and France (both of which have updated the maximum ship sizes they can accept). One Estonian facility has also changed ownership.

Outside the European Economic Area (EEA), a new facility has been added in Turkey. Another Turkish site was removed for failing to meet several requirements under Regulation 1257/2013. Two other Turkish facilities had their approvals renewed.

Spain continues to have two authorized facilities: DDR Vessels in the port of El Musel, Gijón (Asturias), and DINA in Barakaldo (Biscay). Together, they have an annual recycling capacity of approximately 5,600 LDT—though documents submitted to the Commission suggest this capacity could potentially reach 66,000 LDT.

Following this update, the list now includes a total of 43 authorized facilities:

  • 29 within EEA countries (including the EU, Norway, and Northern Ireland):

    • Norway (7)

    • Denmark (5)

    • France and the Netherlands (4 each)

    • Spain and Lithuania (2 each)

    • Belgium, Estonia, Italy, Finland, and Northern Ireland (1 each)

  • 14 in non-EEA countries:

    • Turkey (11)

    • United Kingdom (2)

    • United States (1)