[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ module_class=”reverse-columns-mobile” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ text_font=”roboto-regular||||||||” text_text_color=”#003a7c” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”||15px||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|tablet” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]EWD Benli also plans to begin recycling ships on its factory premises in Emden as from the fourth quarter of 2025.<\/p>\n
Credits: Christoph Assies TEXT FOTO MEDIA, Karoline Wolf, EWD Benli, Leviathan, J\u00f6rg Sarbach[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]Ships are usually scrapped abroad at the end of their service life, with smaller units often embarking on their final journey to shipyards in Denmark, the Netherlands or Norway. Two northern German companies \u2013 EWD Benli Recycling based in Emden and Leviathan in Bremen \u2013 now plan to begin a new chapter \u2013 and bring recycling back home.<\/p>\n
In May 2025, Emder Werft und Dock (EWD) was the first company in Germany to acquire regulatory approval for ship recycling. The idea is to disassemble and recycle small inland, coaster and government vessels as well as German naval vessels up to 200 metres in length on EWD\u2019s factory premises at the Port of Emden. \u201cWe can offer competitive prices here,\u201d says Sebastian Jeanvr\u00e9, who has a PhD in processing engineering and, with Bj\u00f6rn Sommer, forms the joint leadership of EWD Benli Recycling. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe idea came about five years ago, as we\u2019d been doing similar activities by that time and already fulfilled the technical requirements for ship recycling.\u201d Jeanvr\u00e9 is also Managing Director of ReLog, a company that specialises in the planning and implementation of industrial dismantling projects and ship, engine and aircraft recycling.
There is a particularly high demand for these services among port operators, river police and German maritime police, as there are a great many ships with an average age of 40 years or more, and correspondingly quite a few units up to 80 years of age or even older.
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.logistics-pilot.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Foto__b-earb-B0151818-Sebastian-Jeanvre-\u00a9-Karoline_Wolf_4C_800.jpg” alt=”Portraits of Sebastian Jeanvr\u00e9 and Bj\u00f6rn Sommer” title_text=”Foto__b-earb-B0151818-Sebastian-Jeanvre\u0301-\u00a9 Karoline_Wolf_4C_800″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ text_font=”roboto-regular||||||||” text_text_color=”#003a7c” custom_margin=”-5px||25px||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”||15px||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|tablet” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]Sebastian Jeanvr\u00e9 (left) and Bj\u00f6rn Sommer together form the management of EWD Benli Recycling.[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ custom_padding=”||25px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n
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Two medium-sized old ships can be recycled every month, a process that includes documenting the ship, putting it into dry dock and removing hazardous substances and materials. However, the latter can be quite challenging. \u201cUnlike with aircraft, which are produced in standard series, it\u2019s often unclear how older, smaller ships were built and what was installed,\u201d explains Jeanvr\u00e9. \u201cThat\u2019s why we plan to develop processes for laser-based analysis of ship structure and set-up of a corresponding database for mapping recyclable and hazardous materials \u2013 as part of a research project.\u201d<\/p>\n
After disassembly of the individual components, all that is left is an old ship free of any fluids or hazardous materials. Only then can it be broken down and processed. Depending on the size of the ship and the amount of work, it takes at least four weeks to complete these steps of the process. Once EWD Benli has fulfilled all the secondary requirements of the approval process, things can get started in Emden. \u201cIt looks like we\u2019ll begin operating in the fourth quarter,\u201d says Jeanvr\u00e9.<\/p>\n
Leviathan, a ship recycling specialist founded in 2021 and based in Bremen, is also pursuing an ambitious plan, which is to build a highly automated, nearly emissions-free recycling facility \u2013 with a vision of CO2-free operation that is based on renewable energies and Industry 4.0 technologies and closes material cycles for maximum resource efficiency. Unlike its competitors, Leviathan is not planning a shipyard in the traditional sense, but rather purely a recycling infrastructure that specialises in cargo ships on a large scale. \u201cOnly large steel flows can pique the interest of steelworks,\u201d emphasises Leviathan co-founder Simeon Hiertz.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ module_class=”dtb-sticky” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_sidebar area=”et_pb_widget_area_7″ show_border=”off” admin_label=”Werbung Startseite \/ Artikel” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_sidebar][et_pb_sidebar area=”et_pb_widget_area_9″ show_border=”off” admin_label=”Werbung Artikel” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_sidebar][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_image=”https:\/\/www.logistics-pilot.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/23t234-S5-oben-Leviathan-Abwrackwerft-Deutschland-Leviathan_4C_1200.jpg” parallax=”on” custom_padding=”650px||||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.25.1″ custom_padding=”0px||0px|||” bottom_divider_style=”waves2″ bottom_divider_color=”#DFE6EE” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ text_font=”roboto-regular||||||||” text_text_color=”#003a7c” custom_margin=”-5px||||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”||15px||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|tablet” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]A robot uses a high-pressure water jet to cut through ships that have been designated for breaking and recycling.[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ custom_margin=”||50px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n
According to Hiertz, the Leviathan process differs fundamentally from that of conventional shipbreaking in terms of the technology. \u201cWe only use cold-cutting techniques. We don\u2019t use flame-cutting. So we don\u2019t have any combustion gases with the corresponding emissions,\u201d explains Hiertz. Harmful substances both in solid and liquid form can thus be systematically captured and treated. All the work is done on fully impermeable surfaces, which is a key component of the concept. \u201cSo there\u2019s no risk of unintentionally releasing any environmentally hazardous substances.\u201d<\/p>\n
The idea is to be able to process all types of ships up to the maximum size of the planned facility of around 350 metres. \u201cWe\u2019re focusing on bulk carriers,\u201d says Hiertz. \u201cThere are currently few sensible options for an environmentally responsible end to the life cycle of these ships.\u201d Leviathan\u2019s business model is also different from traditional shipbreaking. \u201cOur main customers are steelworks,\u201d says Hiertz. \u201cWe offer shipping companies an attractive solution for old tonnage and purchase their ships. But the turnover stems from the steelworks.\u201d
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ module_class=”dtb-sticky” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#DFE6EE” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n
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The Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships was adopted in 2009, and the EU Regulation on ship recycling in 2013. With all 24 of the required country signatures finally acquired, the Hong Kong International Convention has taken effect 16 years later. As of 2030, shipowners, flag states and shipbreaking yards will need to observe the internationally applicable ship recycling regulations. Shipbreaking yards will need to be certified in the future. The Inventory of Hazardous Materials (IHM) will be binding on a global basis by 2030, but has been required for EU flagships since the mid-2010s.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ custom_padding=”0px||0px|||” top_divider_style=”wave2″ top_divider_color=”#DFE6EE” bottom_divider_style=”waves2″ bottom_divider_color=”#DFE6EE” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ custom_margin=”100px||50px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]The project has not yet been implemented due to the long approval processes. \u201cWe\u2019re trying to limit the effects of these delays as much as possible,\u201d says Hiertz, adding that cutting red tape does not have to mean reducing standards \u2013 but could also take the form of more staff working for the public authorities. \u201cI just wish that the responsible approval authority had more staff and was more efficiently organised. Other states have shown that it\u2019s possible.\u201d <\/p>\n
Under the leadership of Raimund Bleischwitz, the Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research (ZMT) conducted a study on the potential of ship recycling and presented the results in November 2023, revealing just how high the potential order volume is and highlighting the economic and environmental opportunities of a maritime recycling cluster. According to the study, up to 25 ships could be disassembled in Bremen alone annually, which would mean potential scrapping of around 100,000 tonnes and an economic figure of more than 100 million euros. <\/p>\n
Up to 15,000 ships around the world could be decommissioned by 2035. Securing some of these dismantling projects in northern Germany would be an incentive for the region\u2019s maritime industry \u2013 and a win for sustainability and technological innovation.\b(cb)<\/em>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.logistics-pilot.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/SchumacherHiertz-\u00a9-Joerg-Sarbach_4C_800.jpg” alt=”Portrait of Karsten Schumacher and Simeon Hiertz” title_text=”SchumacherHiertz-\u00a9-Jo\u0308rg-Sarbach_4C_800″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ text_font=”roboto-regular||||||||” text_text_color=”#003a7c” custom_margin=”-5px||25px||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”||15px||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|tablet” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]Karsten Schumacher (left) and Simeon Hiertz are the founders and managing directors of Leviathan.[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ module_class=”dtb-sticky” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_blurb title=”More Information” _builder_version=”4.25.1″ header_font=”|||on|||||” header_text_color=”#ffffff” header_font_size=”16px” text_orientation=”center” custom_margin=”50px||||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”25px||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_css_blurb_title=”display: inline-block!important;||background: #002754!important;||padding: 5px 13px 3px 13px!important;||position: relative!important;” border_width_bottom=”1px” border_color_bottom=”#002754″ global_colors_info=”{}” header_text_color__hover_enabled=”on|desktop” header_text_color__hover=”rgba(255,255,255,0.71)” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ text_font=”roboto-regular||||||||” text_text_color=”#003a7c” custom_margin=”||100px||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”||15px||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|tablet” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n