Prime Green Recyclers Becomes First Pakistani Yard to Achieve Full Compliance with Hong Kong Convention
In a landmark development for Pakistan’s ship recycling sector, Prime Green Recyclers has become the first yard in the country to achieve full compliance with the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships (HKC). The milestone was formally confirmed on November 24, when global classification society Bureau Veritas issued the Statement of Compliance, marking a breakthrough moment for the Gaddani yard and for Pakistan’s maritime recycling landscape.
For decades, Pakistan has been among the world’s leading destinations for end-of-life vessels, with Gaddani ranking alongside Alang in India and Chattogram in Bangladesh as a major global ship-breaking hub. However, while the country handles significant tonnage, it has long lagged behind its regional counterparts in upgrading its facilities to meet the stringent norms of the Hong Kong Convention. Prime Green Recyclers’ certification therefore represents more than just a procedural achievement—it signals the beginning of a new phase for Pakistan’s recycling capacity and its alignment with internationally recognised safety and environmental protocols.
A Turning Point for Gaddani
Prime Green Recyclers’ compliance now offers shipowners, flag administrations, and international regulators a certified option within Pakistan, expanding the pool of HKC-compliant yards in South Asia. Given that the Convention will soon enter into force globally, yards failing to comply risk losing access to higher-quality tonnage and international business. The certification is expected to encourage more global shipowners to consider Pakistan a viable recycling destination and to incentivise other Gaddani yards to modernise.
The move is equally significant for worker protection and environmental performance. The HKC mandates rigorous controls over hazardous materials, emergency preparedness, waste management, safe-handing procedures, and transparent documentation. For a sector historically criticised for substandard safety conditions and pollution risks, the certification demonstrates that Pakistani yards can upgrade operations to meet international expectations.
GMS Applauds Milestone, Calls for Wider Compliance
GMS, the world’s largest cash buyer of ships for recycling, has congratulated Prime Green Recyclers on its achievement. The company—long involved in promoting sustainable ship recycling practices—welcomed the certification as a much-needed step forward for the region.
In a statement, GMS noted that the certification could act as a catalyst for further progress across Gaddani. “We strongly encourage additional yards in Pakistan to begin their own compliance work,” the company said, emphasising that the broader industry stands to benefit from improved safety measures, stronger environmental safeguards, and more transparent procedures.
GMS has been active in promoting responsible ship and offshore recycling through collaborations with shipowners, classification societies, and facilities in major recycling destinations. Its support for compliant practices reflects the global shift toward ESG-driven decisions in the maritime sector, particularly as regulatory scrutiny intensifies.
“A Benchmark for Pakistan,” Says GMS Sustainability Head
Dr. Anand Hiremath, Head of the Sustainable Ship and Offshore Recycling Program at GMS, highlighted the significance of the accomplishment. “Achieving Hong Kong Convention compliance requires disciplined systems for safety, hazardous material control, and environmental protection. Prime Green Recyclers has met these requirements, and this sets an important benchmark for other yards in Pakistan,” he said.
Dr. Hiremath added that the certification demonstrates what can be achieved through structured processes and commitment. “We welcome progress that brings the region closer to recognised international standards,” he noted, underscoring that continued improvements across the industry will strengthen global confidence in South Asian recycling.
A New Era for Pakistan’s Recycling Ambitions
Pakistan’s ship recycling industry has faced multiple challenges in recent years—from fluctuating steel demand and currency instability to rising regulatory requirements and increasing competition from neighbouring countries. As the global maritime sector transitions toward greener, safer end-of-life management under the HKC, non-compliant yards risk being phased out of the premium recycling market.
Prime Green Recyclers’ achievement helps reposition Pakistan within this shifting landscape. It signals that the country is ready to compete not only on price but on international standards of safety and environmental responsibility. For policymakers and industry groups in Pakistan, the certification is likely to serve as a case study demonstrating that achieving HKC compliance is both technically feasible and commercially advantageous.
Industry observers suggest that the milestone may prompt greater collaboration between the government, industry associations, and yard operators to support training, infrastructure upgrades, and environmental monitoring across Gaddani. As international shipping companies increasingly favour certified facilities, early movers stand to benefit from higher-quality consignments, improved market reputation, and strengthened regulatory credibility.
A Step Toward a More Responsible Global Recycling Chain
Global ship recycling is undergoing rapid transformation, driven by the entry into force of the Hong Kong Convention and heightened expectations from shipowners, financiers, and environmental groups. Prime Green Recyclers’ newly earned compliance therefore resonates beyond Pakistan, contributing to the broader push toward responsible ship recycling across the industry.
With Bureau Veritas’ Statement of Compliance now in hand, the Gaddani yard will begin operating under the strict monitoring and reporting protocols required by the Convention. GMS and other supporters expect that the yard’s progress will inspire additional recyclers in Pakistan to follow suit.
As the international maritime community continues to advocate for safer and more environmentally sound ship recycling practices, Pakistan’s first HKC-compliant yard marks a significant step toward elevating the country’s role in the global recycling value chain—and toward building a more sustainable future for workers, coastal communities, and the industry at large.
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