Transparency Essential in Granting Provisional DASR

The Provisional Document of Authorization for Ship Recycling (Provisional DASR) is an important authorization for Bangladesh’s ship recycling industry. It plays a significant role in ensuring that a yard has the necessary capacity to undertake ship recycling in accordance with safety, environmental and international standards.

Industry stakeholders, however, believe that the issuance of Provisional DASR must strictly follow established technical, environmental and safety criteria. If a yard obtains such authorization without properly meeting the required compliance standards through personal influence, political recommendation or administrative pressure, the consequences could extend far beyond that particular yard.

It could put compliant yards that have invested heavily in safety, environmental protection and infrastructure at an unfair competitive disadvantage and discourage responsible investment in the sector. More importantly, any major accident, worker casualty or environmental incident at a non-compliant yard could damage the international reputation of Bangladesh’s entire ship recycling industry and undermine the confidence of international shipowners.

Therefore, Provisional DASR should be granted strictly on the basis of merit, compliance, physical inspection and transparent assessment—not influence or recommendation.

The concerned authorities must ensure maximum transparency and impartiality in the process so that the interests of one yard do not put the credibility and future of Bangladesh’s entire ship recycling industry at risk.