A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between the Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, and A.P. Moller – Maersk to evaluate and establish a ship recycling initiative in the Kingdom of Bahrain. The signing ceremony was also attended by strategic partners taking part in the project, which included the Arab Shipbuilding and Repair Yard Company (ASRY), SULB Company, and APM Terminals Bahrain, the operator of Khalifa Bin Salman Port and a subsidiary of A.P. Moller – Maersk.

According to the MoU, both the Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications and the Ministry of Industry and Commerce will provide regulatory support to ASRY, which, in turn, will be responsible for equipping the yard and docks with the necessary requirements for the ship recycling process. A.P. Moller – Maersk, an integrated logistics company, will serve as the technical and operational advisor, providing expertise on implementing sustainable practices and responsible standards in ship recycling. SULB will utilise the steel from the ship recycling process and further process and recycle it for the local and international markets.

The MoU, the first of its kind in the Kingdom of Bahrain, aims to develop a ship recycling and green steel ecosystem in Bahrain by establishing collaboration between the Government and industry stakeholders and ensuring sustainability during the entire process. The MoU also exemplifies successful public-private partnerships in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Bahrain’s Economic Vision 2030.

The Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications His Excellency Mohammed bin Thamer Al Kaabi affirmed the Kingdom of Bahrain’s commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals through effective strategic public-private partnerships as well as the Ministry’s commitment to adopting and complying with international best practices and standards in iron and steel recycling. His Excellency further added that this initiative will contribute to economic growth by enhancing commercial activity from the sale of recycled material.

The Minister of Industry and Commerce His Excellency Abdulla bin Adel Fakhro further endorsed the Kingdom of Bahrain’s commitment to embracing sustainable manufacturing and enabling the private sector to adopt circular carbon economy principles, which in turn cultivates environmental and social governance and aligns with the Industrial Sector Strategy (2023-2026).