Maritime Risk International
Asbestos still a threat to shipping sector
Despite the introduction 10 years ago of regulations prohibiting the use of asbestos materials onboard ships, a significant
number of existing and newbuild vessels continue to operate systems and machinery containing the hazardous substance. According
to maritime testing facility Maritec, which carried out asbestos surveys for IMO compliance between 2011 and 2020, more than
55 per cent of in-service vessels and 50 per cent of all newbuilds were found to contain asbestos materials.