Hanoi: Vietnam’s shipbreaking industry will have to comply with a revised Law on Environmental Protection from the start of next year as the country seeks to grow its vessel recycling sector.

As of January 1, 2015, importers of ships for demolition in Vietnam will be required to prepare an application package that includes an environmental protection dossier. The dossier includes a declaration of the actual state of the ship, a written commitment to abide by environmental standards and a copy of the shipyard's certificate of satisfaction of environmental protection conditions.

The Vietnamese government hopes the move will boost the country’s shipbreaking industry, as its shipbuilding industry flounders. Importing ships for recycling will help meet growing domestic demand for scrap steel, and lessen its dependence on scrap from China. [22/10/14]