Global regulations and instruments such as the Hong Kong Convention are vital and reiterate the industry’s commitment to safe and sustainable ship recycling practices.
The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) and European Shipowners | ECSA welcomes the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships (Hong Kong Convention) entering into force globally.
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) adopted the Hong Kong Convention on the 15th May 2009. The aim of the Convention is to reduce risks to health, safety and the environment, ensuring that ships when being recycled after reaching the end of their operational lives, do not pose any unnecessary risk to human health and safety or the environment.
The International Chamber of Shipping and European Shipowners | ECSA have been advocating for the Hong Kong Convention to come into force since adoption at IMO to ensure international safe and sustainable ship recycling processes.
Thomas A. Kazakos, Secretary General of the International Chamber of Shipping, comments:
“Today marks a welcome and historical development after two decades of work on the issue. At ICS we have long been championing for safe and sustainable ship recycling practices. Now that the Hong Kong Convention has entered into force we can look forward to even more progress in improving ship recycling around the world.
As the industry pushes forward on its decarbonisation journey the lifespan of the merchant fleet is likely to reduce, through global instruments such as the Hong Kong Convention we can progress, safely, efficiently and sustainably. A global industry needs global regulations.”
Sotiris Raptis, Secretary General, European Shipowners | ECSA adds:
