In reference to the letter dated 26.06.2023 published by the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), it is stated that Bangladesh, one of the leading countries in ship recycling, and the Liberian Registry, the world’s second-largest ship registry, have agreed to ratify the “Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships.”
It is stated that the Hong Kong Convention was ratified by Bangladesh on 12th June 2023, all the necessary conditions for the entry into force of the Convention were fulfilled after the commitment of the Liberian Registry, and 24 months after ratification by 15 countries representing 40% of the world merchant ships in terms of gross tonnage, the Convention will enter into force.
What is the Hong Kong Convention?
The Hong Kong Convention (Hong Kong International Convention on the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships-2009) was adopted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) on 15 May 2009 to reduce or minimize the negative impact of ship recycling on human health and the environment. The purpose of the Convention is to establish standards for ships and shipbreaking facilities in order to ensure that they operate in a manner that does not pose a risk to human health, safety, and the environment. The rules set out in the Convention address several issues, including;
- The handling of substances such as asbestos, heavy metals, and hydrocarbons, which may be present in ships sold for dismantling and are harmful to the environment;
- Construction and operation of vessels in such a way as to allow safe and sound recycling;
- Standards to be maintained by shipbreaking facilities to ensure safe working and environmental conditions;
- Establish an enforcement mechanism for the recycling of ships, including documentation and notification obligations.
Under the Convention, it is required that all ships maintain an inventory of hazardous materials. Additionally, before dismantling operations begin, ships will be subject to inspection, during which the inventory of hazardous materials will be verified. Shipbreaking facilities will create a “Shipbreaking Plan” based on the inventory of hazardous materials, outlining how the dismantling of each ship will be conducted.
States Parties to the Convention shall take effective measures to ensure that shipbreaking facilities comply with the standards specified in the Convention in order to ensure the existence of safe working and environmental conditions.
For detailed information on this matter, please contact us using the information provided below.
