Ship Recycling - International Hong Kong Convention entered into force on 26 June 2025

IMO Website

Ship recycling has been an important and sensitive topic during the last decades. It is important to now have an internationally applicable framework aiming at a more sustainable approach. The Hong Kong Convention (HKC) gives shipowners and other stakeholders more clarity and predictability when it comes to the recycling of old and unused ships. In particular, reducing regulatory discrepancies and establishing a level playing field - previously lacking - are major advantages of the Convention.

 

Back in 2009, as the text was initiated by the International Maritime Organisation, conditions in South Asian recycling shipyards were still not comparable to those now or to be expected by the HKC. EUROMAR is glad that at least international standards were introduced and now enter into force worldwide. Europe already tried a proactive legislation but it did not yet lead to more recycling facilities in Europe.

 

The Hong Kong Convention regulates responsibilities and obligations for ship operators, shipyards, recycling facilities as well as flag states, port states and recycling countries. Flag states such as Portugal – which ratified the HKC already in 2023 – now require the shipowners e.g. to maintain an Inventory of Hazardous Materials (IHM) and to undergo inspections and present the correct and valid certification prior recycling. 

 

In case of questions please contact our registration or maritime department via maritime@eu-registry.com.