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July 29, 2025 | 1 month ago

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Recycling end-of-life ships: an increasingly regulated sector

With the entry into force of the Hong Kong Convention, signed worldwide on June 26, end-of-life ships must be recycled in a safe and environmentally sustainable way.

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On June 26, the Hong Kong Convention for the Safe and Sustainable Recycling of Ships officially came into force worldwide. Adopted in 2009 under the auspices of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), this convention now imposes mandatory rules governing the design, operation, and dismantling of end-of-life ships, while ensuring worker safety and environmental protection.

The new regulations cover

Recycling facilities: certification, inspections, mandatory reporting

Banned hazardous materials: asbestos, PCBs, organotin compounds, etc.

The division of responsibilities between States, shipowners and shipyards

Keeping inventories of hazardous substances on board.

Particularly mindful of the high risks in developing countries, the treaty emphasises the need for enhanced labour and safety standards, notably through the Sensrec Project, a joint IMO-ILO initiative launched in 2015 in Pakistan, with financial support from Norway.

The Convention enjoys the support of 24 States Parties, including major flag States (Japan, Panama, Liberia...) and major recycler countries (Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Turkey), representing 57.15% of global shipping tonnage.

IMO Secretary General Arsenio Dominguez sees this entry into force as a major step towards a maritime sector that is more responsible, safer and better aligned with international environmental and social standards.

July 29, 2025 | algeria-logo

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