German shipping company Norddeutsche Reederei has contracted DNV GL to carry out Inventory of Hazardous Materials (IHM) certifications on board its managed fleet of more than 50 vessels.

The certifications will offer independent verification of the vessels’ IHM, and enable Norddeutsche Reederei to meet the requirements of European Ship Recycling Regulation.

DNV GL will first perform sampling and testing of a 3,700teu container vessel, Northern Dexterity, as part of the deal.

Hazmat specialists from two independent laboratories, Exag Marine Consulting and QSU, will conduct the sampling and analyses on board the ship, which is expected to receive the IHM certificate by next month.

The project will be supervised by DNV GL and is scheduled to be completed by early next year.

"The IHM is an important step on the way to ensuring environmentally responsible ship recycling, and therefore is also important to us at Norddeutsche Reederei."

Norddeutsche Reederei quality management director Dennys Wulf said: “The IHM is an important step on the way to ensuring environmentally responsible ship recycling, and therefore is also important to us at Norddeutsche Reederei.

“DNV GL has long-standing experience in this field and we are pleased to be working with them on this.”

All European Union-flagged newbuilds have to carry an inventory of all hazardous materials contained in their structure or equipment along with a statement of compliance by 31 December 2018, according to European Ship Recycling Regulation requirements.

IHM is also an important aspect of the Hong Kong Convention, which is expected to be effective from 2020.

Image: A DNV GL HazMat expert doing a visual check for pipe gasket sampling. Photo: courtesy of DNV GL AS.