The Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships entered into force on 26 June 2025, establishing mandatory regulations to govern the way ships are recycled.

The Hong Kong Convention, developed under the auspices of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), covers the following:

• design, construction, operation and preparation of ships to support safe and environmentally sound recycling;
• operation of ship recycling facilities; and
• appropriate enforcement mechanisms, including survey, authorization, certification, inspection and reporting requirements.

Most ships are recycled when they are taken out of operation, with almost all materials and equipment from the ship being re-used or recycled.

The Hong Kong Convention addresses key environmental, occupational health, and safety risks involved in the recycling of ships, while distributing responsibilities and obligations across relevant stakeholders - shipowners, ship building yards, ship recycling facilities, flag States, port States and recycling States.

Source: IMO

 

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