Dr Sarath Obeysekera

Project title: Trinco Mega-Tanker End-of-Life Programme — Floating-Dock Fit-Part Dismantling to Prevent Harbour Pollution

Execution by : [Ministry / Port Authority

Prepared by Dr Sarath Obeysekera using AI resources ]

Executive summary

This project proposes a controlled, on-water dismantling method using a large floating dry dock (mega floating dock) combined with fit-part” modular dismantling (cutting and lifting large blocks) performed over impermeable, contained platforms and on-dock containment systems. The method avoids beaching, contains contaminants (oil, sludge, asbestos, PCBs, heavy metals), treats effluent on-site, and recovers high-value steel and equipment — minimising pollution risk to Trincomalee harbour and the adjacent marine environment. The approach adapts lessons from Turkish yards (Aliağa and others) while strengthening environmental controls, monitoring, and worker safety through mandatory EIA, independent audits and alignment with IMO/Hong Kong and OECD guidance. 

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Objectives

1. Safely recycle decommissioned mega-tankers while preventing release of oil, hazardous wastes and heavy metals into Trincomalee harbour.
2. Maximise material recovery and domestic value-addition (steel, non-ferrous metals, machinery).
3. Demonstrate an international best-practice pilot for Sri Lanka that meets IMO/HKC and OECD recommendations and exceeds minimal environmental safeguards. 

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Why floating-dock + fit-part docking?

• Full containment: Floating dry dock allows the ship to be sealed and dewatered; cutting and removal happen over controlled platforms avoiding intertidal beaching that causes sediment contamination.
• Modular dismantling (fit-part): Cutting ships into large blocks on a contained work deck enables mechanical lifting to shore for processing in impermeable workshops and reduces direct contact between contaminants and sea.
• Better pollution control: Oils, sludges and hazardous materials can be drained into closed collection tanks and treated via on-site separators and waste treatment rather than leaking to sediments (an issue in yards lacking infrastructure). 

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Main components & technical outline

Site & infrastructure

• Floating mega dry dock (sized for VLCC/Suezmax: LOA, beam and lifting capacity sufficient). Dock to be berthed in a designated, deep-water basin within Trincomalee (outside navigation channels).
• Impermeable processing platform(s) (steel/concrete cofferdams or floating barges with lined decks) with containment bunds and drainage to closed collection tanks.
• Oil-water separators, slop tanks, sludge centrifuges, and an on-site effluent treatment plant (ETP) with monitoring and discharge limits.
• Hazardous materials handling unit for asbestos removal, PCB oils, paints and chemicals with sealed containers and licensed waste removal contractors.
• Workshop & metal-processing yard on impermeable surfaces for cutting, sorting and scrap processing.
• Air-emissions controls for cutting operations (local exhaust ventilation, particulate filters).

(Design and specification to be produced after EIA and hydrographic surveys.) 

Process flow (high level)

1. Pre-arrival: Ship assessment & Ship Specific Recycling Plan (SSRPlan) created (inventory of hazardous materials).
2. Docking: Vessel taken into floating dry dock; dock pumped dry; initial decontamination (fuels, slops pumped to slop tanks).
3. Hazardous removal: Removal of all fluids, oils, hydraulic fluids, refrigerants, and proven asbestos/PCB removal by certified teams.
4. Fit-part cutting: Modular block cutting on contained deck; blocks lifted to shore by heavy-lift cranes, transported to lined processing areas.
5. Waste treatment: All run-off directed to ETP; solid hazardous waste stored in sealed containers pending licensed disposal/export.
6. Material recovery & yard remediation: Steel, machinery, and non-ferrous metals processed; final site remediation and monitoring. 

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Environmental & regulatory safeguards

• Mandatory EIA & baseline marine sediment/ water monitoring before starting. Continuous monitoring during operations with public reporting. 
• Ship Specific Recycling Plan (SSRPlan) and waste inventories in line with IMO/Hong Kong Convention and OECD guidance. 
• Zero-discharge policy for untreated wastewater; strict limits for any discharge after ETP treatment and independent lab verification.
• Certified hazardous waste contractors and export routes for wastes that cannot be treated locally, ensuring compliance with Basel Convention principles.
• Third-party audits (environmental NGOs or international auditors) to verify compliance — lessons from Türkiye show that without independent oversight environmental and safety gaps appear even where yards claim compliance. 

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Social & safety measures

• Comprehensive occupational health & safety program, PPE, confined-space and hot-work protocols, training for local workforce.
• Local employment clauses, fair wages, and worker medical monitoring.
• Community grievance mechanism and public reporting.

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Pilot plan (recommended)

1. Feasibility & hydrographic survey — 2 months.
2. EIA + permits + SSRPlan template — 3–4 months.
3. Procurement/tender for floating dock and contractor — 2–3 months.
4. Pilot dismantling of a single medium/large tanker — 3–4 months of on-site work.
5. Evaluation & scale-up — 2 months report and recommendations.

Total pilot duration: ~10–15 months (site-dependent). Budget: high-level estimate to be produced after hydrographic and scope confirmation; pilot likely to require multi-million USD CAPEX (dry dock mobilization, ETP, platform works) with OPEX recovered via scrap value and fees.

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Risks & mitigation

• Risk: Inadequate containment → mitigation: double-lined decks, monitoring, independent audits.
• Risk: Hazardous waste mis-management → mitigation: pre-contracted licensed handlers and export routes.
• Risk: Community opposition → mitigation: transparency, local job guarantees, environmental monitoring.
• Risk: Regulatory gaps → mitigation: adopt HKC/IMO/OECD standards into contracts and local law where possible. 

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Recommendations / Next steps

1. Approve scoping study + hydrographic survey and baseline EIA.
2. Establish an inter-agency steering group (Port Authority, Navy, Environment, Labour, Customs).
3. Call an international tender for floating dock + experienced recycling contractor with proven track record and third-party accreditation.
4. Require SSRPlan and independent auditor as part of contract.
5. Start a single-vessel pilot and publish results publicly.

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Annex — Selected recent sources (attach to proposal)

• NGO Shipbreaking Platform — Ship Recycling in Turkey: Challenges and Future Directions. 
• IMO — Environmental Impact Study and Ship Recycling guidance (WP1b). 
• OECD — Ship-Recycling — An Overview (policy paper). 
• Industry & press reviews on Turkish practices & recent scrutiny. 

Regards

Dr Sarath Obeysekera