Asian Shipowners Affirm Commitment to Hong Kong Convention Ahead of 2025 Enforcement
Singapore, May 31, 2025 — During the 28th Interim Meeting of the Asian Shipowners Association (ASA) Ship Recycling Committee, held this week in Singapore, member representatives reiterated their full commitment to the upcoming implementation of the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships (commonly known as the Hong Kong Convention or HKC). With the treaty set to enter into force on June 26, 2025, ASA emphasized the critical importance of industry-wide compliance in ensuring sustainable and safe ship recycling practices across Asia and beyond.
The HKC, adopted in 2009 under the auspices of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), is widely regarded as a pivotal step toward regulating ship recycling in a manner that safeguards both human health and the environment. Its entry into force marks a major milestone after more than a decade of advocacy, legislative work, and diplomatic coordination among ship-owning, recycling, and flag states.
Key Provisions of the Convention
The Hong Kong Convention applies to ships of 500 gross tons and above that operate in international waters. One of its most significant requirements is the Inventory of Hazardous Materials (IHM), a comprehensive document that identifies onboard substances that may pose environmental or safety risks during recycling.
For new ships, the IHM must be prepared and submitted upon delivery, ensuring that hazardous substances are identified from the outset. For existing ships, the IHM must be completed no later than 2030, giving operators a five-year window to bring their fleets into compliance.
ASA members noted that this stepwise approach allows the global shipping industry to adapt progressively, while still aligning with the broader environmental and labor protections envisioned by the Convention.
Global Adoption and Regional Readiness
As of March 2025, 24 countries have ratified the HKC, fulfilling the Convention’s entry-into-force criteria — which require not only a minimum number of ratifying states, but also sufficient tonnage and ship recycling capacity. Crucially, this group includes the world’s largest ship-recycling nations: India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Japan.
“The inclusion of the major recycling countries represents a watershed moment for the maritime industry,” said a spokesperson for the ASA Ship Recycling Committee. “With these key players onboard, we can finally achieve the Convention’s goal of a uniform global standard for ship recycling.”
These nations, home to the majority of the world’s ship-breaking yards, have spent recent years upgrading their facilities to meet the stringent requirements of the HKC, including better waste handling, worker safety protocols, and environmental monitoring systems.
Obligations Extend Beyond Contracting States
A noteworthy point raised at the ASA meeting was the global applicability of HKC standards — even to ships flagged in non-contracting states. ASA clarified that when such vessels are sent to recycling yards in countries that have ratified the HKC, they too must comply fully with its standards.
This includes providing a complete and certified IHM, and ensuring that dismantling takes place in approved and certified ship recycling facilities. Furthermore, contracting states are obligated under the HKC to reject any vessel — regardless of flag — that does not meet the required documentation and safety criteria.
“This mechanism ensures a level playing field, discourages ‘flags of convenience,’ and upholds the integrity of the Convention,” said the ASA spokesperson. “It reinforces the idea that no vessel can sidestep environmental and labor protections simply by changing its registration.”
A Call for Industry-Wide Support
ASA called on all stakeholders in the shipping industry — including owners, operators, classification societies, and national regulators — to proactively engage in the transition. The Association noted that some shipowners have already begun aligning their fleets with HKC requirements in anticipation of the June 2025 enforcement date.
Shipowners are encouraged to work closely with IHM experts, ensure regular onboard inspections, and engage only with HKC-compliant recycling yards. Additionally, ASA suggested that governments provide support through streamlined regulatory guidance, training programs, and financial incentives for early adopters.
“We are entering a new era of responsible ship recycling,” the ASA statement concluded. “Our members stand ready to lead by example, and we urge all maritime stakeholders to do the same — for the benefit of our industry, our workers, and our planet.”
With the Hong Kong Convention poised to reshape the global ship recycling landscape, the ASA’s reaffirmed commitment signals a strong regional push toward safer, cleaner, and more accountable maritime practices.
