Shipbreaking - Customs Procedure - Instructions Issued
AT present in India, the ship breaking activity is regulated by the directives of the Supreme Court of India. A draft Ship Recycling Code is being formulated by the Ministry of Steel. The proposed Ship Recycling Code is aimed at ensuring that ships, when being recycled after reaching the end of their operational lives do not pose any unnecessary risk to human health and safety or to the environment. However, until the code comes into play, various recommendations of the CTE shall be operative by virtue of the Supreme Court order. As directed by the Supreme Court, the officials of Gujarat Maritime Board along with officials of the Gujarat Pollution Control Board, the Customs Department, National Institute of Occupational Health and Atomic Energy Regulatory Board shall oversee the ship breaking arrangements and implementation of the recommendations of CTE until further orders.
In this regard, CBEC has issued instructions for guidance and compliance by the field formations. Board wants all Authorities to ensure strict compliance of the Supreme Court Orders and the procedure laid down in the order dated 06.09.2007, before permitting entry of any vessel into Indian Territorial Waters for breaking purposes.
CBEC Instruction in F. No. 405/2/2001-Cus.III, Dated: September 04, 2012