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CHATTOGRAM: Kabir Ship Recycling Facilities, a ship-breaking yard of Kabir Group, situated at Sitalpur in Chattogram's Sitakunda upazila, has received the certificate of 'Green Yard'.
Earlier, ship-breaking yards of PHP and SN Corporation received the certificate.
A 'Green Yard' refers to a yard that is compliant with the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Guidelines for Safe and Environmentally Sound Ship Recycling under the Hong Kong Convention (HKC).
Established in 1995 on seven acres of land, Kabir Ship Recycling Facilities currently employs over 800 people and produces an average of 1.5 lakh tonnes of scrap materials per year through dismantling vessels.
Meherul Karim, chief executive officer (CEO) of KSRM Group, said the company has been working to develop its ship-breaking yard and upgrade it to a Safe and Environmentally Sound Ship Recycling yard under the Hong Kong Convention (HKC) for a long time.
"Step by step we received the recognition as a Green Ship Recycling Yard from three different international certification authorities. We received Class IRS certificate from Indian Register of Shipping on October 10, 2022, Class BV certificate from Bureau Veritas on November 16, 2022 and finally Class NK Certified from Nippon Kaiji Kyokai on March 8, 2023."
"We have developed the Green Yard without taking help of any local or foreign consultant. We have recruited marine engineers to develop and manage the yard in light of local context," he added.
Mr Karim also said, "We ensure safety of our workers by following strict safety protocol. We also provide free meals and health services to all our workers."
He also added that Kabir Ship Recycling Facilities is now the only ship-breaking yard in the country to receive three certificates for 'Green Yard'.
By complying with strict environmental standards, green shipyards ensure that the ship-breaking process does not harm the environment or the health of workers.
Green shipyards prioritise workers' safety and health by implementing strict safety protocols, providing personal protective equipment, and offering training programmes for workers.
They also have a positive reputation in the industry and among stakeholders, which can lead to increased business opportunities and partnerships.
By adhering to the Hong Kong Convention's guidelines, green shipyards demonstrate their commitment to international regulations and sustainability practices.
The environment-friendly shipyards can attract more customers and generate higher profits by differentiating themselves from non-compliant competitors and by accessing premium markets that prioritise sustainability.