Sub-sectoral Environmental and Social
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Guidelines: Shipbuilding and
Shipyards
PROCESS DESCRIPTION manufacturing and maintenance shops, a
galvanising operation and wastewater treatment,
This guideline focuses on the shipbuilding paint shop, various materials stores, boiler
processes and shipyards. This includes facilities house, compressors and gas production.
(wet and dry docks, marine railways, design
yards) which fabricate and dismantle floating The guidance outlines the processes, resources
vessels for inland and marine use vessels. and materials used during the construction
process; the facilities and services needed to
The main inputs at shipyards are steel plate, enable the outputs and their environmental
energy and labour. Large quantities of steelwork context. Shipyards use a varied range of services
may be stockpiled, prior to shot blasting to for new vessel construction; hull cleaning and de
remove oxidised layers and application of primer commissioning.
coat. The activities can occur in the open air or
in purpose built facilities. There is likely to be a Investment in shipbuilding varies internationally
press shop and a building dock where large with some regions investing heavily, others
sections of hull are assembled. divesting and outsourcing. Typically, shipyards
produce and build only 20-30% of the value of
The vessel is then transferred to another berth each vessel by themselves, the rest produced and
for fitting operations to be completed. These installed by suppliers, subcontractors and
activities typically occur on the seaward side of turnkey suppliers.
the yard.
The industry is under close regulatory scrutiny
and faces compliance requirements related to
hazardous wastes, wastewater, stormwater, and
air emissions generated by vessel construction,
maintenance and repair activities
Shipyards are usually located in environmentally
sensitive areas.
KEY ENVIRONMENTAL, HEALTH
AND SAFETY RISK/LIABILITY ISSUES
Water Pollution
Oil spills during fitting operations may
contaminate the waters surrounding the
shipyard. Runoff water is likely to capture oils
and debris that has accumulated on the dock
area.
The bottoms of vessels that have prolonged
The remaining area of the shipyard will support seawater contact commonly are coated with
ancillary activities including tank farms, "anti-fouling" paints containing chemicals that
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Guidelines: Shipbuilding and
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inhibit the attachment of fouling organisms to disposal of grit a critical economic and
hulls. The active ingredients commonly found in environmental issue for shipbuilding and repair
anti-fouling paints are metal-based such as facilities. Air, drainage systems and coastal
cuprous (copper) oxide or tributyltin (TBT). The waters are vulnerable to contamination from the
pesticides are harmful to many types of marine process.
life as well as fouling organisms. Metals can
enter the water through discharge of anti-fouling Solid Waste
paint chips and paint removal materials during
vessel maintenance activities. TBT is now Spent grit needs to be tested for toxicity. If it is
banned globally but still remains as a hazardous regarded as toxic, it must be managed and
substance on the hull of older vessels and is a disposed of as hazardous waste. The likelihood
concern during maintenance and servicing of that grit will fail the tests depends on how it has
hulls in shipyards. been used. Grit that has been used to remove
anti-fouling bottom paints is more likely to fail
Waste water the tests than grit that has been used to strip
topside surfaces.
Galvanising and other metal preparation baths
will discharge acid/alkali and metals laden Sludge from waste water treatment, possibly
waters. Water used in cleaning processes will with a heavy metal content, will need to be
also require treatment. Waste water treatment disposed through licensed contractors.
will be carried out either in a purpose built waste
water treatment plant or will discharge to a Hazardous Materials
municipal waste water treatment plant. In either
case it is likely that water quality conditions are Solvents are commonly used to formulate both
defined, possibly in a permit. bottom paints and coatings used for topside
applications such as corrosion resistance.
Air Emissions Solvents are sources of hazardous waste and of
volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These
Smaller vessels can be worked on beneath shop compounds are hazardous air pollutants.
roofs, but larger vessels are worked on in open
areas; on floating dry-docks or marine railways. Hazardous materials, such as solvents, present a
Blasting grit used in shipyards typically is a slag, health and safety risk if incorrectly handled,
a by-product of ferronickel production. The stored and disposed of.
constituents of blasting grit vary, but in general
include oxides of silicon, iron, aluminium and Liquid Wastes
calcium. Some grits also may contain oxides of
zinc and magnesium, and trace amounts of • Wash water, oily water from bilges and tank
copper, titanium, sulphur, and oxides of cleaning, and engine fluids such as oil,
potassium and sodium. hydraulic fluids, lubricants, and anti-freeze
are among the waste liquids generated by
Paint stripping jobs require varying amounts of during maintenance shipyard activities.
grit. Stripping 280m2 of hull surface area, for
example, may require an estimated 60 tonnes of • Fuelling facilities are another potential
grit. The large quantities make management and generator of waste liquids. Hydrocarbons,
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Guidelines: Shipbuilding and
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glycols and other pollutants in these liquids Poor management of materials, waste and
can come into contact with waterways and discharges from production presents a potential
aquatic life through spills and leaks from risk of soil contamination. Heavy metals and
storage tanks. accidental discharges from spills and storage
tank leakages may also contaminate groundwater
Noise in areas where soils beneath the site are
permeable.
Pneumatic hammers, gouging tools and chipping
machines are sources of significant noise Contamination could arise from deteriorating
exposure in shipyards. drainage networks.
Falls from height Radiation
Falls from height occur on shipyards while Some key workers, especially those associated
vessels are being constructed. with submarine facilities, work with radioactive
substances. Some cases of leukaemia,
lymphoma, and lung cancer have been known to
Falling objects occur due to poor site radiation control
protection and management practices.
As vessels are being constructed in many levels
falling objects are a hazard. In addition, Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) and
personnel can be hit by falling/moving objects Asbestos
during fabrication where failure of fixtures and
conveyance gantries can occur. • PCBs are a group of substances which are
good electrical insulators. Typically, PCBs
Confined spaces may be present as constituents of hydraulic
oils or dielectric fluids in electrical
Many areas on a vessel are designated as switchgear, transformers and fluorescent light
confined spaces, which can result in vapour starters.
build up.
• Asbestos has been used on a large scale for
Slips, trips and falls many years as a fire proofing and insulation
material and may be encountered in a wide
There is a high incidence of slips, trips and falls range of forms including asbestos cement
at shipyards as a result of uneven surfaces, boards, as fire retardant gaskets in pipework
unsteady walk ways and wet decks. and as fire retardant insulation around boilers
and furnaces.
OTHER POTENTIAL Particular attention should be given to
ENVIRONMENTAL AND HEALTH refurbishment of vessels constructed before the
AND SAFETY RISKS/LIABILITY ISSUES 1980’s.
Ground Contamination
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Machinery FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
All equipment should have safety guarding and • IMO is focusing on global regulations
workers should be issued with appropriate (2009) for the design, construction,
personal protective equipment to protect against operation and preparation of ships to
unavoidable sharp items and edges. Particular facilitate safe and environmentally sound
attention should be paid to metal cutting recycling, without compromising the safety
equipment. and operational efficiency of ships. They will
be establishing an appropriate enforcement
Inhalation mechanism for ship recycling, incorporating
certification and reporting requirements.
Use of solvents in the process, creation of dust Ships sent for recycling will be required to
during shot blasting, machining and welding undertake an inventory for hazardous
activities can result in respiratory disease. materials. The new regulation will prohibit
or restrict the use of certain hazardous
Occupational Dermatitis materials in shipyards. Shipyards converted
to ship recycling yards will be required to
This can occur as a result of contact with have a ship recycling plan
antioxidants, chromates and solvents.
• New ships constructed after this regulation
KEY SOCIAL, LABOUR AND will have to de designed for deconstruction
COMMUNITY RISK/LIABILITY ISSUES and recycling
Noise, odour and dust • The visual and olfactory impact of oily water
releases could result in compensation for
Noise, odours and dust can cause nuisance loss of income and long-term damage and
issues for neighbours of the shipyard. degradation of impacted infrastructure
including restaurants, hotels, industries
Recreational activities abstracting water for processes, marinas,
private home owners, and compensation of
Impact on recreational use of river banks, fishing industry for loss of fish stock and
shorelines, coasts and wetlands include destruction of equipment.
interference with recreational activities such as
angling, boating, diving and bathing and walking • Injuries may lead to increased payroll costs
due to the health and safety risks oily water to replace skilled workers and lost
presents to river bank, coast, wetland or production time;
shoreline.
• Capital investment may be required to
Migrant Labour comply with new environmental, health and
safety requirements;
Shipyards might attract the skills associated with
migrant labour. • Fines, penalties and third party claims may
be incurred for non-compliance with
environment, health and safety regulations.
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IMPROVEMENTS • Regular inspection should be carried out of
all bulk containment on site to prevent
• Development of an innovative method to leakage and product loss;
safely reduce the risk of toxic particulates
from hull cleaning and maintenance • Provision of secondary spill containment for
activities which, would greatly improve bulk storage tanks and silos;
occupational health and safety, increase
productivity and decrease overall cost. • Good housekeeping should be maintained at
all times in all areas;
• Wash wastewater treatment facility to reduce
contaminant loading and potential release Health and Safety Improvements
into watercourses and drainage systems.
Have closed drainage systems on site. • Provision of personal protective equipment
(PPE) that is fit for the task to prevent injury
• Consider application of TBT removal and maintain hygiene standards. Staff should
methodologies to treat waste waters from be trained in the correct selection, use and
ship hull maintenance discharges to reduce maintenance of PPE. PPE should be
environmental risk inspected regularly and maintained or
replaced as necessary;
• Introduce maintenance, housekeeping,
materials management and chemical and • Train workers in correct use of machinery
materials inventory control practices that and safety devices;
aim to minimize wastes from activities such
as hull stripping and painting, dry dock and • Install mechanical lifting aids where possible
marine railway maintenance, engine and rotate work tasks to reduce repetitive
maintenance, and handling of hazardous activities;
materials during shipbuilding and other
waste liquids • Separation of people from moving
equipment. Install walkways to separate
• Apply closed-loop recycling for processing people from vehicles or moving parts to
waste water, with oil/water separation and reduce risk of collision;
waste oil reclamation
• To reduce the risk of noise exposure isolate
• Investigate environment friendly spent grit noisy equipment and rotate tasks to minimise
recycling and disposal and the application of time spent in a noisy area over an eight hour
alternative hull stripping methods such as period and provide personal protective
use of high-pressure water, wetted grit, and equipment where people have to enter noisy
media such as steel shot, plastic particles or areas;
wheat starch.
• Provide appropriate fall arrest equipment;
• Note the condition of the sea around the
shipyard, is there evidence of oil and/or • Install local exhaust ventilation;
debris in the water;
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• Ensure a safe means of access between vessel • Is fire fighting and first aid equipment
and shore to prevent falls; available?
• Restrict access to confined spaces and other • Check the age and condition of equipment,
high risk areas. look for signs of wear and tear, degradation,
leaks and breaks;
GUIDE TO INITIAL DUE DILIGENCE
SITE VISITS • Check that solid waste storage and disposal
(storage equipment) is in a good condition;
During the initial site visit, the issues will vary
according to the specific processes being • Check that waste storage areas are clear of
adopted and depending on the level of debris and that skips are covered to prevent
environment, health and safety management waste escaping, for example, check that waste
already introduced. While visiting the site it is containers have lids or are stored in an area
important to discuss and review the following: with a roof;
• Note whether the plant discharges to water • Have the premises been inspected recently by
or the municipal wastewater treatment works; the regulatory authorities for health and
environment? What were their findings?
• Check the condition of storage facilities for
bulk raw materials; • Check for automatic safeguards on
machinery to prevent accidental injury;
• Note the noise and dust levels at the site to
determine whether abatement equipment is • Check that wages and working hours are
in use or might be required; consistent with the average for the sector and
national standards;
• What is the standard of “housekeeping” on
site? Do areas look clean and tidy? Look for • Does the organisation have insurance in
evidence of any recent spills or releases of place to cover the recall of contaminated
raw materials/product. ; products? Have there been any recent
product recall incidents?
• Are staff wearing Personal Protective
Equipment? • Have there been any recent incidents on site
such as fatalities, fires/explosions, spills? Is
• Check signage around the site: insurance in place to cover such incidents?
o Does it convey the health and safety • Does the business plan have line items for
risks? Environment, Health and Safety
improvements?
o Are fire exits and/or evacuation routes
clearly marked? • Check the conditions and duration of validity
for all permits;
o Are there demarcated routes for
pedestrians and vehicles?
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• If the investment or refinancing will led to minimum, any business should be required to
restructuring of the company, what will be have the following in place:
the potential impacts on health and safety at
the operational, employee welfare and wide • Operational procedures to manage
community impacts level? environmental, health and safety risks;
• If the company plans to invest in new • Monitoring programmes;
technology, what will be the impact on
human resources, in particular health and • Improvement objectives, targets and project
safety and employee welfare? plans;
• Check that labour standards, contracting and • Training for personnel;
remuneration are in line with national law
and are consistent with the average for the • Regular inspections, checks and audits with
sector records to demonstrate achievement of the
required level of performance against legal
• Check that hours, including overtime, are requirements and improvement action;
recorded and staff should receive written
details of hours worked and payment • Emergency plans for environment, health
received and safety accidents or hygiene non-
compliance;
• Has the company received inspections from
the local labour inspectorate in the previous • Management review/demonstrated
three years? Have these resulted in any involvement in environment, health, safety
penalties, fines, major recommendation or and hygiene management.
corrective action plans;
• Does the organisation have a grievance
mechanism which allows employees to raise
workplace concerns?
• Are employees free to form, or join, a
worker’s organisation of their choosing?
Take note/ask questions relating to any activities
that address the improvements listed in the
improvements section of this document.
ACTION PLANS
Dependent on the individual business and
nature of the shipyard/ship building activity,
select appropriate improvements from the list
above to include in the action plan. As a
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SHIPBUILDING AND SHIPYARDS
REFERENCES AND ADDITIONAL SOURCES
European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). Environmental and Social Policy May
2008. Performance Requirement 2: Labour and Working Conditions. [Link]
tools/[Link]
European Environmental Agency (2002) Accidental and illegal discharges of oil by ships at sea
Patin, Stanislav, Dr. (2002) Off-shor environment, pollution of the sea
European Metal Workers’ Federation. (Press article) “the Turkish shipbuilding expansion: putting profits
before health and safety and risking workers’ lives” 10.03.2009
European Metal Workers’ Federation FEM 34/2003 A future for the European Shipbuilding Industry:
LeaderSHIP 2015 needs a commitment for immediate action
IMO (1998) Annex VI of MARPOL 73/78, Regulations for the prevention of air pollution from ships
and NOx technical code
IMO (2004), Prevention of pollution by sewage from ships
IMO Adopted guidelines on Ship recycling 23rd Assembly, Dec 2003
MARIN Maritime Research Institute, Netherlands ([Link])
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