Small Fleet Owners in Focus as HKC Compliance Deadline Nears: Yiannis Kourkoulis to Speak at Riviera Forum
London, UK – 9 May 2025 — As the global shipping industry races against time to align with the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships (HKC), set to be enforced in June 2025, attention is turning to a sector often overlooked in regulatory discussions — small fleet owners. Yiannis Kourkoulis, Vice President – S&P at Best Oasis Limited, will address these concerns at the upcoming Riviera Responsible Ship Recycling Forum on 14 May 2025, in London.
In a much-anticipated session, Kourkoulis will dive into the critical implementation challenges small fleet owners — typically operating between 5 and 10 vessels — face in navigating the complex landscape of HKC compliance. These owners manage a significant portion of the global fleet but frequently lack the financial and institutional muscle of large shipping conglomerates.
A Hidden Corner of the Industry Comes to Light
“Small fleet owners represent a vital piece of the ship recycling equation,” said Kourkoulis ahead of the event. “Yet they are often underserved in regulatory outreach and industry support mechanisms. Their contribution to safe and sustainable recycling should not be underestimated.”
The HKC, adopted by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), establishes legally binding standards for ship recycling to protect human health and the environment. However, implementing its provisions can be daunting, especially for smaller operators who must now grapple with a wave of new documentation, certification processes, and cost structures.
Key Challenges to be Addressed
During his talk, Kourkoulis will spotlight six key barriers that hinder small fleet owners from effectively preparing for HKC enforcement:
- Low Awareness Levels: Despite the looming deadline, many small fleet operators remain unaware or only partially informed about the full extent of HKC requirements. Industry outreach has primarily targeted large shipowners and recycling yards, leaving a knowledge gap among smaller players.
- Compliance with Limited Resources: HKC implementation requires dedicated compliance personnel, legal advisors, and consultants — luxuries often unaffordable to organisations with tight operational budgets. For these owners, compliance is not just a regulatory hurdle but a logistical and financial one as well.
- Documentation & Certification: Preparing and maintaining an Inventory of Hazardous Materials (IHM), securing certification from authorised bodies, and ensuring transparency through the recycling process involves layers of paperwork and audits. For smaller firms, this can be a significant administrative burden.
- Cost Implications: Achieving HKC compliance is not cheap. From hiring experts to modifying operations and covering certification fees, the cost burden can weigh heavily on smaller owners. Without economies of scale, their per-vessel compliance cost is significantly higher than for larger fleet operators.
- Tight Timelines: With enforcement beginning in June 2025, time is running short. Smaller owners who have only recently been made aware of HKC mandates now face a compressed timeline for implementation, exacerbating pressure on already stretched resources.
- Support Mechanisms & Strategic Resources: Kourkoulis will advocate for developing targeted support tools, such as industry helplines, subsidised certification programs, and simplified compliance frameworks, to help level the playing field.
A Timely Conversation
The Riviera Responsible Ship Recycling Forum — to be held on 14 May 2025, from 09:30 to 17:00 in London — is one of the final major gatherings before HKC enforcement begins. The forum will convene shipowners, recyclers, regulators, class societies, and NGOs to address challenges and promote sustainable recycling practices.
Kourkoulis’ session promises to offer fresh insight into how the shipping industry can ensure that its smaller stakeholders are not left behind. With the clock ticking toward the HKC deadline, his message is expected to resonate deeply across the sector.
“Without meaningful engagement and practical assistance,” Kourkoulis warns, “we risk marginalising a critical segment of the maritime economy. Responsible ship recycling must be inclusive, or it will be incomplete.”
Looking Ahead
As the industry inches closer to a new era of environmental accountability, the role of small fleet owners cannot be understated. Their cooperation and participation are essential to meeting global sustainability goals in ship recycling.
Yiannis Kourkoulis’s upcoming address will not only raise awareness. Still, it could also act as a catalyst for more inclusive support strategies, ensuring that no fleet, however small, is left adrift in the tide of regulatory change.
Event Details:
🗓 14 May 2025
🕤 09:30 – 17:00
📍 London, UK
🗣 Session: “HKC Compliance Challenges for Small Fleet Owners” – Yiannis Kourkoulis, Best Oasis Limited
