On November 12, 2019, the Government issued Decree No. 82/2019 / ND-CP stipulating the import and dismantlement of used ships. Accordingly, this Decree specifies the entities permitted to import used ships for dismantlement; Used seagoing ships are allowed to be imported for demolition. As follows:
Firstly, regarding the subjects allowed to import used seagoing ships for dismantlement: The Decree specifies that the enterprises importing used seagoing ships for dismantlement must meet the following conditions:
– Being a Vietnamese enterprise wholly owned by Vietnamese organizations and individuals;
– Being the owner, manager or operator of a ship demolition establishment that has been put into operation in accordance with law.
Enterprises importing or dismantling used seagoing ships must buy insurance and fulfill the obligations of insurance for liability for environmental damage related to the import and dismantlement of used seagoing ships. Use as prescribed.
Secondly, used seagoing ships are allowed to be imported for demolition: Used seagoing ships with hulls of non-metallic materials are allowed to be imported for dismantlement, including:
– Dry cargo ships, including: general goods, bulk cargoes, equipment goods, wood chips, timber, cereals, bagged goods, iron and steel goods;
– Container ship;
– Ore tanker;
– Liquid cargo vessels, including: crude oil, product oil, vegetable oil;
– Gas and liquefied gas tankers;
– Ro-Ro ship, passenger ship, barge, sea ferry.
In particular, the above types of ships must meet the following conditions:
+ The ship owner has a written certification and is responsible for the commitment that the ship is not in the state of mortgage or maritime claim;
+ Do not convert, upgrade, change the purpose and not transfer, buy, resell.
Used ships imported for demolition must be brought into the demolition establishment within 30 days after completing customs procedures but not exceeding 90 days after the ship arrives at Vietnam’s first seaport. Male; The time for demolition of a ship must not exceed 180 days from the date of commencement of demolition. The dismantlement of used ship shall be carried out only at the ship demolition facility that has been put into operation as prescribed.
Decree No. 82/2019 / ND-CP takes effect from December 30, 2019. The effective Decree 82 opens up new directions and removes difficulties for Vietnam’s shipbuilding industry in general and for used ship breaking business in particular. Enterprises which import or dismantle used seagoing ships must ensure maritime safety, maritime security, labor safety, fire and explosion prevention and fighting; protect human health and the environment.