Bangladesh Ministry Directs Ship Recycling Board to Issue DASRs to Compliant Yards under Hong Kong Convention
Dhaka, July 25, 2025
In a significant move towards aligning Bangladesh’s ship recycling industry with international environmental and safety standards, the Ministry of Industries has officially directed the Bangladesh Ship Recycling Board (BSRB) to initiate the process of issuing Document of Authorisation for Ship Recycling (DASR) to compliant ship recycling yards. This follows the country’s ratification of the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships (HKC), which came into effect globally on June 26, 2025.
The ministry’s directive, issued on Wednesday through an official notification, marks a decisive step in the country’s transition toward fully adopting the standards of the Hong Kong Convention. The document acknowledges the importance of authorising compliant yards to operate under HKC guidelines and paves the way for the formal implementation of its provisions in Bangladesh’s ship recycling sector.
Bridging Regulatory Gaps Before Policy Reform
The notification comes at a time when domestic laws and rules are still being updated to reflect the obligations under the Hong Kong Convention. Given this transitional phase, the ministry has opted to move forward by empowering the BSRB to issue the DASR to ship recycling facilities (SRFs) that are already compliant or well on the path to compliance.
“In this situation, until the laws, rules and policies are updated to implement the Hong Kong Convention, it is requested to take necessary measures to issue DASR in favour of compliant yards to conduct ship recycling activities in line with the Convention,” reads the ministry’s statement.
This move followed repeated appeals from ship recyclers and yard owners, who had requested early authorisation to begin or continue operations under the new international framework. Many of these facilities have already made substantial investments in upgrading their infrastructure to comply with HKC standards, including worker safety systems, hazardous waste management, and environmentally sound dismantling methods.
BSRB Begins Implementation Process
Responding promptly to the ministry’s instruction, the Bangladesh Ship Recycling Board met on Thursday and decided to proceed with issuing DASRs. It has invited applications from ship recycling yards whose Ship Recycling Facility Plans (SRFP) have already been approved by the Ministry of Industries.
A senior official from BSRB, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the DASRs will be granted initially to those facilities whose SRFPs align with the HKC provisions and have already received ministry-level clearance.
For facilities that are not yet fully compliant, the board has established a transitional mechanism. These yards will be required to submit a detailed gap analysis along with a transitional plan, both of which must be prepared by an accredited organisation. The plan must clearly outline how the yard intends to meet the HKC requirements within a specified timeframe.
Current Status of Compliance
Bangladesh is currently home to one of the largest ship recycling industries in the world, centered around the coastal region of Sitakunda in Chattogram. The industry, which once faced global scrutiny for unsafe and environmentally damaging practices, has in recent years taken considerable steps toward improvement, especially under pressure from international stakeholders and NGOs.
As of now, 14 Bangladeshi ship recycling yards are considered compliant, with more than a dozen others actively working towards meeting the standards. According to the NGO Shipbreaking Platform (NSP), a Brussels-based watchdog advocating for safer and greener ship dismantling, seven Bangladeshi yards have already obtained Statements of Compliance (SoC) with the Hong Kong Convention, issued by internationally accredited classification societies.
“These yards represent a growing commitment to responsible recycling in Bangladesh,” said a spokesperson from NSP. “Issuing DASRs to such facilities is not only a recognition of their progress but also a necessary step to ensure that the industry continues to move in the right direction.”
Importance of DASR in Hong Kong Convention
Under the Hong Kong Convention, a DASR is a critical document that permits a yard to legally carry out ship recycling activities. It certifies that the facility meets the convention’s stringent requirements related to environmental protection, worker safety, hazardous material handling, and reporting mechanisms.
The convention stipulates that no ship flying the flag of a state party may be recycled at a facility that does not possess a valid DASR. Similarly, it mandates that all internationally trading ships of 500 gross tonnage and above must carry an Inventory of Hazardous Materials (IHM) and have a valid International Certificate on Inventory of Hazardous Materials (ICIHM) by June 26, 2030.
By moving swiftly to begin issuing DASRs, Bangladesh positions itself as a responsible ship recycling nation ahead of the 2030 compliance deadline, which is expected to significantly impact the global ship demolition market.
Industry Reaction and Way Forward
The response from industry stakeholders has been largely positive. Ship recyclers welcomed the government’s decision, calling it a timely intervention that provides regulatory clarity during a crucial transition period.
“We appreciate the ministry’s prompt action. This gives us the confidence to invest further in compliance infrastructure and workforce training,” said Mohammad Hossain, owner of a yard that received SoC earlier this year. “Now we are waiting for our DASR so we can resume operations with full legitimacy.”
Industry experts note that the timely issuance of DASRs can also boost investor confidence and facilitate easier access to financing from environmentally and socially conscious institutions. Moreover, it may lead to improved relationships with shipowners in Europe, Japan, and South Korea — countries that increasingly prefer HKC-compliant recycling destinations for their end-of-life vessels.
However, some concerns remain about the enforcement mechanism and the timeframe for transitional yards to become fully compliant. “The authorities must ensure that the compliance timeline is realistic but firm, so as not to dilute the Convention’s objectives,” said Nazma Akter, a labour rights activist who has worked extensively on improving shipbreaking worker conditions.
Global Context and Bangladesh’s Role
The Hong Kong Convention was adopted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in 2009 to ensure that ships, when being recycled, do not pose unnecessary risks to human health, safety, and the environment. After years of campaigning, the convention finally met the ratification threshold in 2023 when Bangladesh, Liberia, and Panama — key ship recycling and flag states — ratified the treaty.
With the convention now in force, Bangladesh’s role becomes especially significant. As one of the largest destinations for end-of-life vessels, the country’s ability to implement the HKC effectively will be watched closely by the global maritime community.
The Ministry of Industries’ move to begin issuing DASRs is a pivotal step in Bangladesh’s compliance with the Hong Kong Convention. While challenges remain in ensuring all ship recycling yards meet the new standards, the commitment shown by the government and a growing number of industry players is a promising sign.
As Bangladesh navigates this regulatory transformation, the success of the DASR process will not only determine the future of its ship recycling industry but also its credibility as a responsible player in the global maritime ecosystem.
Author: shipping inbox
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