About SENSREC
SENSREC is a capacity building project implemented by the UN International Maritime Organization (IMO) to assist developing countries in the implementation of the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships. The project is designed to provide comprehensive and integrated support that focuses on policy alignment, and the design and establishment of institutional mechanisms and governance systems. At the same time, the SENSREC project develops the capacities of the stakeholders in the ship recycling sector by promoting sustainable technical, social and environmental practices.
Through the project, developing countries can put in place sound and effective measures that improve the standards of health, safety and environmental compliance at ship recycling yards, as required by the Hong Kong Convention, as well as the capacity for environmentally sound waste management of hazardous waste and other materials that are generated from the process of ship breaking. Emphasis is also made for a just transition of the industry workforce.
Through the project, developing countries can put in place sound and effective measures that improve the standards of health, safety and environmental compliance at ship recycling yards, as required by the Hong Kong Convention, as well as the capacity for environmentally sound waste management of hazardous waste and other materials that are generated from the process of ship breaking. Emphasis is also made for a just transition of the industry workforce.
While it is usually adjusted to the specific needs of each country, work under the SENSREC Project is typically divided into four categories:
Taking into considerations the range of issues related to ship recycling, the project works directly with other UN organisations to support the assistance that is provided:
Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions Secretariat (under the UN Environment Programme – UNEP)
Project implementation is overseen by the project coordination unit, based at IMO headquarters in London, United Kingdom. Additionally, there are teams placed in the beneficiary countries to oversee and coordinate actions at the national level.
Beneficiary countries
The SENSREC project has been active in the following countries
Project duration and funding
The project was launched in Bangladesh in 2015 and will continue its work as long as it has sufficient funding, sustained interest in its objectives, and a demand for support from countries in need. Its duration will depend on the availability of resources, including financial backing, as well as the continued engagement from stakeholders and the ongoing identification of regions requiring assistance.
In September 2023, the project expanded to a new country, in this case Pakistan, with a planned end date of December 2026.
Funding for the project has been provided to date by Norway (Ministry of Foreign Affairs – through its embassies in Dhaka and Islamabad, respectively), China and the IMO Integrated Technical Cooperation Programme. All project funds are managed and overseen by IMO, in accordance with the International public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS).
INGOs and institutions have provided in-kind support through expertise and participation in key events.
Bangladesh
Launched in 2015, the SENSREC project in Bangladesh has produced a number of economic and environmental studies on ship recycling, developed and deployed training materials for the ship recycling workers and is contributing to the development of infrastructure including facilities for treatment, storage and disposing of hazardous wastes generated from recycling operations. SENSREC Bangladesh is currently going through its 3rd phase.
Read more about the project here
Pakistan
Launched in September 2023, the overall objective of the SENSREC-DW (SENSREC-Decent Work) project is to enhance the capacity of the Government of Pakistan and its ship recycling industry to promote a just transition and put in place sound and effective measures that improve the standards of health, safety and environmental compliance at ship recycling yards, as required by the Hong Kong Convention, as well as the capacity for environmentally sound waste management of the hazardous and other materials that are generated from the process of ship breaking. From a labour perspective, the project will advocate for the promotion of decent working conditions including labour and social protection of workers.
Read more about the project here
Women
The project includes efforts to support the participation of women in equal terms within the ship recycling industry at all levels. To guide and monitor these efforts, SENSREC has a gender action plan and results framework have been developed for the project. This in line with IMO’s Strategic Plan, which specifically address the goal of strengthening the role of women in the maritime sector (Strategic direction 6) in line with the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) resolution A/RES/72/147. That resolution which highlights the need raised in previous resolutions regarding “Strengthening the institutional arrangements for support of gender equality and the empowerment of women” calls upon all actors, including Governments, the United Nations system and its specialized agencies, other international organizations and civil society to intensify and accelerate action to achieve the full and effective implementation of the Beijing Declaration and the Platform for Action.
Read more about the project here