Ship recycling convention Hong kond convention ship recycling

Hong Kong convention or Ship recycling convention is a convention which was adopted by IMO in 2009,to reduce injuries and fatalities during ship recycling. It aims reduction of harm to human health, safety and environment when the ships are recycled after its operational lives. This convention is not yet entered force as only 63 countries have ratified the convention. Injuries due to ship recycling are very high at countries like India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, China etc. having the largest ship breaking yards in the world as the workers wear very little PPE(Personal Protective Equipment).



Main issue causing fatalities is that, ships may contain materials that are hazardous to environment like asbestos, ozone depleting substances, hydrocarbons , heavy metals etc. This convention also addresses about the harsh working conditions even in world famous ship scrapyards.




These regulations once into force will cover the construction and operation of ships  in an environmentally friendly manner without compromising the operational efficiency of the ship. It will include enforcing appropriate regulations introducing certifications and reporting procedures.

Once the Hong Kong convention comes to force ,

  • It will be required by all ships to carry an inventory (Green passport), which contains details of hazardous materials which are used in the construction ,which is specific to each ship.
  •  Ships will perform an initial survey and additional surveys throughout the ship's life and a final survey before recycling the ship.
  • A ship recycling plan will be provided by the scrapyards, which will specify the way a ship is recycled referring to its inventory.
  • All the signatories should then take effective measures to check if all the ships in their jurisdiction complies with the convention.
  • All the ships over 500 GRT should comply to the convention. Existing ships will get 5 years to comply with the convention .

Inventory will contain all the potential hazards of  hazardous substances used onboard, including their location and exact amounts. It will be carried throughout the ship's life .