Home / Shipping News / International Shipping News / Verifavia Shipping Diversifies With Launch Of Inventory Of Hazardous Material (IHM) Services

Verifavia Shipping Diversifies With Launch Of Inventory Of Hazardous Material (IHM) Services

Verifavia, the world’s leading emissions verification company for the transport sector (aviation and shipping), announced that it has launched Inventory of Hazardous Material (IHM) preparation services for ships subject to the EU Ship Recycling Regulation (EU SRR) and the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships, and has already conducted its first survey. At the same time, the company also announced that it has expanded its global network with the opening of a new office in Chandigarh, India.

Under the EU SRR, newbuild vessels flying an EU member state flag have been required to have on board a certified IHM since 31st December 2018 – meaning that all newbuild contracts signed after this date must have an IHM certificate in its specifications. For vessels in operation and flying the flag of an EU member state, as well as for non-EU flagged vessels calling at an EU port or at an anchorage within EU jurisdiction, IHM certification is required from 31st December 2020.

New IHM service offering coincides with opening of new office in Chandigarh

In addition, all EU and non-EU flagged vessels calling at an EU port or anchorage due to be recycled after 31st December 2018 are now required to have a Ready for Recycling Certificate (RRC), reflecting the need for shipowners to recycle vessels at facilities on an EU list of Ship Recycling Facilities. This means that as many as 35,000 vessels will require IHM certification.

Verifavia, which is in the process of building a team of HazMat experts, initiated its first IHM survey in Singapore in March 2019. Typically, Verifavia’s IHM services include a process of document collection, onboard sampling check, and laboratory analysis, which is then developed into a report that is shared with a class society for final onboard cross-checking and certification. This process enables identification of any hazardous material that needs to be removed – with the purpose of preparing the ship for recycling.

Julien Dufour, CEO, Verifavia Shipping, commented: “Under EU Ship Recycling regulations, 35,000 vessels must have a certified IHM onboard. While shipowners and managers might not be too happy about another raft of environmental regulation, at Verifavia our consultants have the expertise and experience to take the headache away from the IHM process. Our customers know from their experience of working with us that they can trust us to get the job done efficiently as they strive to meet deadlines and regulatory requirements. This is why we seek to offer an all-inclusive competitively-priced package that includes IHM preparation until certification by class, and IMH maintenance.”

Yuvraj Thakur, Commercial Director – Shipping, and Managing Director, Verifavia-IHM Technical Services, added: “IHM is an area we want to grow at Verifavia – utilising our agile approach, global reach, expertise and trust, we have developed a service offering that complements the work done by class societies – ensuring that hazardous materials within the structure of a vessel are properly identified to prepare ships for safe and environmentally-friendly recycling.”

In addition to the IHM initial survey, Verifavia can work with ship owners, managers and class societies to develop and implement a robust IHM maintenance procedure. If any non-identical or new machinery or equipment is added to, removed or replaced, or the hull coating is renewed, the IHM must be updated by collection of suppliers’ declarations.

This new initiative enables Verifavia’s subsidiary Verifavia-IHM Technical Services India Pvt Ltd. to expand over the next few months; bringing in more marine engineers and naval architects to its growing team of HazMat experts and project coordinators led by its recently-joined IHM manager. Verifavia is also in the process of being approved as a HazMat Expert Company by several classification societies.
Source: Verifavia Shipping

Recent Videos

Hellenic Shipping News Worldwide Online Daily Newspaper on Hellenic and International Shipping