"Whereas the number of dismantled ships remained nearly as high as in 2012, the number of beached ships dropped from 850 to 645 in 2013, representing a reduction of 24 percent from the previous year. More ship owners have opted for cleaner and safer solutions in 2013 compared to previous years - this is good news for the environment and the workers, and also for those ship recycling yards globally that have invested in better practices," says Patrizia Heidegger, executive director of the NGO Shipbreaking Platform.

New EU regulations on ship recycling entered into force on December 30, 2013, that ban the breaking of ships registered under the flag of an EU Member State in beaching yards and demand proper recycling in facilities that meet the requirements set out in the regulation. However, unless an economic incentive is added to it, the registration of European ships under flags of convenience will allow shipowners to circumvent the new regulation.

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