The NGO Shipbreaking Platform, a global coalition of 18 environmental, human rights and labor rights organizations promoting clean and safe ship recycling, issued a press release in January calling on the European Parliament and the Council to include a financial mechanism in order to turn the Commission proposal into an effective instrument to promote responsible ship recycling and to level the playing field globally. “Every year, more European end-of-life ships containing hazardous materials are sent to India, Bangladesh and Pakistan. Such practices are unacceptable and Europe is in the driver’s seat to put a stop to this on-going human rights and environmental disaster,” says Patrizia Heidegger, executive director of the NGO Shipbreaking Platform. “Only a financial mechanism enforced in EU ports can properly internalize costs and close loopholes, which have allowed ships until now to escape legislation and accountability.”

The Shipbreaking Platform applauded the vote.