The Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and
Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships 2009 Regulation 5 contains
the requirement to produce an Inventory of Hazardous Materials
(IHM), previously known as the Green Passport.
When the Convention is ratified all shipping companies will be
required to comply by having an approved and verified IHM for each
ship. This is effectively an inventory of all materials present in
a ship's structure, systems and equipment that could pose a hazard
to health or the environment not only during end of life recycling,
but also during operation, repair or conversion.
As a Lloyd's Register Approved Service Supplier, Babcock can
perform these IHM surveys for any shipping company, along with
sampling and testing for asbestos, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB),
tributyltin (TBT), ozone depleting substances (ODS) and radioactive
substances. Babcock became the first company to offer both of these
services in the UK and has unrivalled experience and expertise in
these fields.
By employing our Lloyd's Register trained marine industry
specialists Babcock can offer the most up-to-date procedures,
technologies and processes. We can offer this service for both new
build and existing vessels. The IHM survey, sampling and testing
are independently verified by Lloyd's Register. However Babcock can
also provide this service for vessels registered with other
classification societies.
How an IHM can benefit your vessel
As well as providing invaluable information to both recycling or
repair facilities, the IHM also helps to raise staff awareness of
the materials onboard a ship that may require special handling
throughout the life of the vessel.
The IHM provides a formal summary of hazards, which can help to
promote better operational management onboard your ship, enhancing
safety and enabling better long-term liability planning.
An IHM can reduce financial uncertainty regarding the value of
your vessel.
The IHM will help you to demonstrate your company's commitment
to improving health, safety and environmental standards. It
provides measurable and achievable objectives for ISO 14001
certified companies, and can also helps boost your reputation in
the highly competitive shipping marketplace.