Björn Sommer, one of the managing directors, noted: “We immediately received the first enquiries, which we still had to turn down due to the ongoing approval phase.” The yard, employing 150 workers, features two floating docks, a dry dock, and nearly 2 kilometers of quay facilities. Sommer added: “In principle, we will be able to dismantle anything that can enter the port of Emden through the sea lock.”
EWD Benli Recycling plans to focus on dismantling seagoing vessels, inland waterway vessels, coasters, passenger ships, ferries, wind turbines, and industrial plants. This initiative addresses industry practices where many decommissioned ships are sent to South Asia for scrapping. According to the German Shipowners’ Association, approximately 700 ships are scrapped annually, primarily in Pakistan, Bangladesh, and India, raising concerns about safety and environmental standards.
The facility’s launch aligns with the upcoming enforcement of the Hong Kong Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships in June 2025, which mandates certification for occupational safety and environmental protection by independent classification societies. Additionally, since late 2018, the EU Ship Recycling Regulation has required large seagoing vessels under EU member state flags to use approved yards listed in the European List of ship recycling facilities. The latest list includes 43 facilities, with 31 in Europe, 11 in Turkey, and one in the United States.
The Emden facility represents a step toward sustainable ship recycling in Germany, offering an environmentally responsible alternative to current global practices while supporting compliance with international and regional regulations.
