🚢 The Hong Kong Convention has finally set sail.
A New Era for Ship Recycling: Responsibility Meets Regulation
On 26 June 2025 the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships entered into force — a long-awaited turning point for global shipping.
For decades, end-of-life vessels were dismantled in unsafe conditions. Now, every ship above 500 GT must maintain an Inventory of Hazardous Materials and obtain a Ready for Recycling Certificate.
Failure to comply can lead to detentions, financial penalties, and civil or even criminal liability.
The Convention interacts with existing frameworks such as the EU Ship Recycling Regulation and the Basel Convention, creating a complex but necessary ecosystem of accountability.
From a P&I Club perspective, cover still applies up to the ship’s final voyage, but owners must show due diligence: accurate IHMs, authorised yards, and clear contractual allocation of responsibilities.
Ultimately, compliance is both an ethical and economic choice. The Hong Kong Convention is not just about rules — it’s about closing the loop responsibly, ensuring that the sea which sustained the ship is not harmed when it rests.
🔗 Read the full UK P&I Club article:
A New Era for Ship Recycling — The Hong Kong Convention Sets Sail
💬 Is your fleet ready for responsible recycling?
#Maritime #Compliance #Sustainability #ShipRecycling #Shipping #RiskManagement #Insurance
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