� COVER STORY �
GSW : The availability of scrap is one of the problematic points of the steel industry . With regard to ship recycling , how much scrap potential is there ?
TW : Super large vessels were built just two to three decades ago , and the earliest of them are approaching their recycling phase . As a result , we perceive substantial potential within this industry , albeit with regional disparities . We foresee Southeast Asia maintaining its dominance in the recycling of large vessels , while the European market is likely to shift its focus towards smaller vessels .
GSW : Is ANT AG active worldwide ? Where do your operations mainly take place ?
TW : Our headquarters is in Lübeck , and we are set to establish a new branch in the UK by 2024 . Given our clientele ’ s global reach , we maintain an extensive sales and service network worldwide . I am proud to say that our team of more than fifty good-minded and internationally oriented people is successfully building up this network .
GSW : Do you perhaps plan to apply your technology somewhere else in the industry aside from recycling ships ?
TW : Our technology serves diverse purposes , from
The quality of the material being recycled with the WAS technology is superior compared to the current cutting technologies . As it is a cold process , no toxic slag or fumes are produced .
bomb defusing , wind farm installations dismantling and decommissioning of oil & gas rigs off- and onshore to ongoing testing for the removal of leaves and vegetation from railway tracks . Furthermore , we have established a subsidiary company , ConSus GmbH , dedicated to continuous waterjet cutting , allowing for advancements in the water jet cutting industry .
GSW : Do you have any predictions for the ship recycling industry ? Do you see it becoming more sustainable in the future ?
TW : That is a very difficult question . It is worth noting that around 15 thousand ships with a total transport capacity of 600 million tonnes are to be recycled in the next decade . This will allow for industrialization of the ship recycling business . Current technologies that are being used in some parts of the world generate significant amounts of
CO 2
. In Europe , there is a lot of pressure for emission reduction . On an international level , much more needs to be done in order to get all the stakeholders on board with the sustainability plans . I believe that all parties included ( ship owners , yard owners , lawmakers , steel producers ) will have to come together and create a push that will then bring us closer to achieving our goals . We have already observed a lot of progress being made for the industry but there is much more that can be done . Personally , we would be extremely pleased if people who would like to join this cause got in touch with us so that we can support each other .
Green Steel World | Issue 9 | November 2023 9