The Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe Recycling of Ships has Entered Into Force
03.07.2025
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The document is designed to address all issues related to ship recycling, including the fact that ships being recycled may contain environmentally hazardous substances such as asbestos, heavy metals, hydrocarbons, ozone-depleting substances, and others.
Most ships are recycled when they are decommissioned, with virtually all materials and equipment from the vessel being reused or recycled. The Hong Kong Convention addresses the main environmental, occupational health and safety risks associated with ship recycling, while distributing obligations and responsibilities among relevant stakeholders-shipowners, shipbuilding yards, ship recycling facilities, flag States, port States, and recycling States.
The Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships was adopted at a Diplomatic Conference held in Hong Kong, China, in May 2009. The requirements for its entry into force were met in 2023, and the Convention itself entered into force 24 months later, on June 26, 2025. Several countries engaged in ship recycling are already implementing the Convention's technical standards on a voluntary basis.To support developing countries, IMO has organized various ship recycling workshops to raise awareness about the Convention at the international level.
Additionally, IMO is actively working with countries to help them build their capacity and create conditions that will enable them to ratify and effectively implement the Convention.
Source: www.imo.org
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