India Leads the Way in Ship Recycling by Signing Hong Kong International Convention
In a significant development for global environmental standards, India has become the first of the world’s five largest ship-breaking nations to ratify the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships, 2009 (HKC). This treaty, governed by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), aims to regulate ship recycling practices to ensure the process is both safe and eco-friendly. The countries dominating global ship breaking—Bangladesh, China, Pakistan, and Turkey—have yet to accede to the treaty, which seeks global support to establish consistent standards across the industry.
The Importance of the Hong Kong Convention
The HK Convention was created in response to growing concerns about the dangers posed by ship recycling. The end-of-life process for vessels often involves dismantling large ships laden with hazardous materials, including asbestos, heavy metals, and toxic chemicals. Most ship recycling takes place in developing countries where safety regulations are frequently lax, and labourers are exposed to serious health risks. Furthermore, improper handling of hazardous waste leads to severe environmental damage, particularly in coastal regions where these shipyards are situated.
Under the HKC, ships destined for recycling are required to carry an inventory of all hazardous materials on board. This inventory must be maintained throughout the ship’s operational life and presented before the vessel is dismantled. Ship recycling facilities, for their part, are obligated to prepare a detailed ‘Ship Recycling Plan.’ This plan outlines how each ship will be dismantled, paying specific attention to its inventory of hazardous materials and the vessel’s structural characteristics.
India’s decision to accede to the HKC represents a significant milestone in international efforts to bring greater oversight and environmental responsibility to the global ship recycling industry. The country’s role as a major player in this industry makes its endorsement of the convention a crucial step toward universal ratification.
India’s Role in Global Ship Recycling
India’s ship recycling industry has grown exponentially over the years, particularly in regions like Alang in Gujarat, which has become one of the largest ship-breaking hubs in the world. In 2018 alone, India recycled more than 250 ships, accounting for approximately 25-35% of the world’s recycling tonnage. The country’s accession to the HKC underscores its leadership in the sector and its commitment to transforming the industry in line with modern environmental and safety standards.
At a recent session of the IMO Assembly, Indian representatives, including Gopal Krishna, Secretary to the Government of India, Ministry of Shipping, and Amitabh Kumar, the Director General of Shipping (DGS), submitted India’s instrument of accession to IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim. This event marked a pivotal moment in the push to bring the convention into force.
Global Implications of India’s Accession
Welcoming India’s accession, Kitack Lim emphasized the global significance of ship recycling practices. “What happens to ships at the end of their lifetime is an important global issue, with major consequences for safety and the environment,” Lim noted. He urged other states, especially those with large ship recycling operations, to follow India’s lead and ratify the convention.
The HKC establishes a comprehensive legal framework that will provide global oversight for the ship recycling industry, ensuring consistency in safety and environmental protection measures. However, the convention has not yet entered into force, as it requires the support of at least 15 states representing 40% of the world’s gross merchant shipping tonnage, alongside a combined ship recycling volume of at least 3% of that tonnage.
India’s accession brings the number of contracting states to 15, a key threshold. However, while this fulfills the first of three criteria, the total tonnage and recycling volume requirements have not yet been met. States like Bangladesh and China, with significant ship recycling capacity, will need to join the convention to ensure it reaches the global implementation stage.
Industry Support for the HKC
The international shipping industry has responded positively to India’s decision. Guy Platten, Secretary General of the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), expressed optimism that India’s move will catalyze further action from other key players. “ICS welcomes the accession of India to the Hong Kong Convention. This is a major step towards guaranteeing the safe and environmentally sound management of ship recycling throughout the ship’s entire lifecycle,” Platten stated. He added that India’s endorsement of the convention could serve as a model for other major ship recycling nations, particularly China and Bangladesh.
India’s DGS, Amitabh Kumar, echoed these sentiments, pointing out the potential global impact of India’s decision. “We have ratified the HK Convention; and this significantly increases the likelihood of its coming into force. The convention will ensure that ships are recycled in a safe, environmentally friendly, and transparent manner, providing global oversight to an economically and environmentally essential industry.”
The Challenges Ahead
While India’s accession is a significant step, challenges remain. The global ship recycling industry is heavily concentrated in a few nations, and many of these countries, including Bangladesh and Pakistan, face significant obstacles in implementing the safety and environmental standards outlined by the HKC. These include weak regulatory frameworks, inadequate infrastructure, and socio-economic factors that make it difficult to enforce strict recycling procedures.
Nevertheless, India’s ratification sends a strong message about the importance of transitioning the industry towards safer and more sustainable practices. As one of the largest ship recycling nations, India’s compliance with the HKC demonstrates that it is possible to modernize ship recycling practices without sacrificing economic benefits. The hope is that India’s leadership will encourage other nations to follow suit, helping to push the convention into force and ultimately reshape the global ship recycling industry.
The Path Forward
As of November 2019, the HKC has been ratified by 15 states, including Belgium, Congo, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Ghana, Japan, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Panama, Serbia, and Turkey. Together, these countries account for just over 30% of the world’s merchant shipping tonnage. With India’s accession, the convention is closer to meeting the tonnage and recycling volume thresholds required for its implementation. However, until more states with significant recycling capacity ratify the convention, its entry into force remains uncertain.
India’s leadership in endorsing the HKC offers a glimmer of hope for the ship recycling industry. By adopting international standards for safety and environmental protection, India is setting an example for other nations to follow, bringing the world closer to a sustainable future in ship recycling.
