Bangladesh to receive $1.5 million from Norway to enhance safety in ship recycling industry

Bangladesh will receive $1.5 million from the government of Norway to implement the Safe and Environmentally Sound Ship Recycling in Bangladesh (SENSREC) for enhancing safe and environmentally sound ship recycling process. 

With this agreement, Bangladesh has been given the green light by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to implement the third phase of this project, reports Hellenic Shipping News. 

The treaty was signed between the Ambassador of Norway to Bangladesh Sidsel Bleken and IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim on July 24. 

"Norway is pleased to extend its support to Bangladesh and our thanks go to IMO for their important role in this Project. Through IMO, we will continue to support the authorities, the industry, and other stakeholders in strengthening their efforts to develop Bangladesh's ship-recycling industry and the country's economy," said Sidsel Bleken. 

The implementation process will start from November 2020 over an 18 months of period. The previous two phases were also funded by Norway. 

This funding will facilitate specific technical assiatance to Bangladesh to establish a facility for treatment, storage and disposal of hazardous wastes focusing on evaluating the impact of Covid-19 on the ship recycling industry in Bangladesh.

IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim  said, "The success of this Phase III of the project will be seen in the crucial technical assistance role that will support the goals of Bangladesh to establish a facility for treatment, storage and disposal of hazardous wastes and ultimately support its aim to accede to the Hong Kong Convention."