What is the penalty for carrying out 'on-site dismantling' outside the facility without obtaining permission?

In case of unauthorized on-site dismantling, an administrative fine of 1,000,000 TL is imposed separately on the person responsible for the work, the shipowner, and the facility operator; and an administrative fine of 100,000 TL is imposed on each personnel member working in the dismantling.

Did all the articles in the regulation enter into force immediately?

No. Certain paragraphs regulating the inspection and control signature authorities of the coastal facility specialist (Article 5/9, Article 6/7, and Article 21/3) will enter into force on December 31, 2028; all other provisions entered into force on the date of publication, June 22, 2026.

REGULATIONS22 June 2026

International Standard for Ship Recycling

Official titleRegulation on the Authorization of Ship Recycling Facilities

The new regulation determining the authorization, operation, inspection, and sanctions to be applied to ship recycling facilities in compliance with the standards of the Hong Kong Convention has entered into force.

Details of the Regulation

Prepared jointly by the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change and the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, this Regulation re-regulates the technical, environmental, and administrative rules that ship recycling (dismantling) facilities operating within the borders of Turkey must comply with. Based on the standards of the 2009 Hong Kong International Convention, the regulation completely repeals the former Ship Dismantling Regulation, which had been in force since 2004.

According to the new system, facilities are required to obtain a "Ship Recycling Authorization Certificate" valid for 5 years in order to operate. The Ship Recycling Facility Plan (SRFP) to be prepared by the facilities during the authorization process will be accepted as the main document, and site inspections will be conducted according to this plan. In addition, for each ship to be recycled, a ship-specific Ship Recycling Plan (SRP), prepared in Turkish and translated into a foreign language prior to dismantling, must be approved. Inspections will be carried out by the Inspection, Determination, and Supervision Commission (ITDK), established within the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, consisting of at least two engineer members.

The Regulation also significantly stiffens the sanctions to be applied in case of non-compliance with the rules. Administrative fines ranging from 100,000 TL to 1,000,000 TL are stipulated for situations such as carrying out dismantling contrary to the recycling plan, performing unauthorized on-site dismantling, and starting work without notification. If the violations are repeated within one year, the fines will increase exponentially, and if the act is repeated three times, the facility's authorization certificate will be suspended.

REGAS Commentary

This regulation aims to elevate Turkey's ship dismantling industry, which is particularly concentrated in the Aliağa region, to global green standards. Although it will increase the operational audit burden and certification costs for sector representatives, full compliance with EU standards will enable the Turkish ship dismantling industry to maintain its international prestige and market share. The tightening of environmental and occupational health measures will also significantly reduce the concerns of local residents and environmental organizations.

Questions You Might Have

What is the penalty for carrying out 'on-site dismantling' outside the facility without obtaining permission?: In case of unauthorized on-site dismantling, an administrative fine of 1,000,000 TL is imposed separately on the person responsible for the work, the shipowner, and the facility operator; and an administrative fine of 100,000 TL is imposed on each personnel member working in the dismantling.
For how many years is the Ship Recycling Authorization Certificate valid, and when must it be renewed?: The certificate is valid for a maximum of 5 years. The facility official must submit a renewal application to the Ministry at least 60 days before the validity period of the certificate expires.
Did all the articles in the regulation enter into force immediately?: No. Certain paragraphs regulating the inspection and control signature authorities of the coastal facility specialist (Article 5/9, Article 6/7, and Article 21/3) will enter into force on December 31, 2028; all other provisions entered into force on the date of publication, June 22, 2026.

Key Terms

SRP (Gemi Geri Dönüşüm Planı): A plan prepared specifically for each ship to be recycled, containing the management of hazardous materials and the dismantling steps.
SRFP (Gemi Geri Dönüşüm Tesis Planı): A detailed document demonstrating the management system, waste management, and operational procedures of the ship recycling facility.
İTDK: The Inspection, Determination, and Supervision Commission established by the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure to inspect facilities on-site, audit them, and prepare reports.
Hak Lehtarlığı: A legal document indicating to whom the right of use (lease, easement, title deed, etc.) of the land on which the recycling facility is located belongs.

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