Marshall Islands Joins Global Efforts for Safe Ship Recycling: Accedes to Hong Kong Convention
The Marshall Islands has officially joined the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships, 2009 (Hong Kong Convention). Mr. Nicholas Makar, the Deputy Commissioner of Maritime Affairs for the Republic of the Marshall Islands, deposited the instrument of accession with Arsenio Dominguez, the Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), at the IMO Headquarters in London on January 18.
The Hong Kong Convention, set to enter into force on June 26, 2025, was established during a diplomatic conference held in Hong Kong, China, in 2009. Its primary goal is to ensure that ships, when being recycled at the end of their operational lives, do not pose unnecessary risks to human health, safety, and the environment. The convention adopts a comprehensive “cradle to grave” approach, addressing all environmental and safety aspects related to ship recycling, including the responsible management and disposal of associated waste streams in a safe and environmentally sound manner.
The Hong Kong Convention places responsibilities and obligations on various stakeholders, including shipowners, shipbuilding yards, ship recycling facilities, flag states, port states, and recycling states. Upon the convention’s entry into force, ships designated for recycling will be required to carry an Inventory of Hazardous Materials on board. Authorized ship recycling facilities will need to provide a Ship Recycling Plan tailored to each individual vessel to be recycled. Governments will also play a crucial role in ensuring that recycling facilities within their jurisdiction comply with the convention.
As of now, the contracting parties to the Hong Kong Convention include Bangladesh, Belgium, the Republic of the Congo, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Ghana, India, Japan, Liberia, Luxembourg, Malta, the Marshall Islands, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Norway, Pakistan, Panama, Portugal, São Tomé and PrÃncipe, Serbia, Spain, and Türkiye. These countries have committed to upholding the principles of the convention and working towards safe and environmentally friendly ship recycling practices.
Once the Hong Kong Convention comes into force, ships designated for recycling will be required to carry an Inventory of Hazardous Materials on board. Authorized ship recycling facilities will need to provide a Ship Recycling Plan tailored to each specific vessel set for recycling. Additionally, governments will be tasked with ensuring that recycling facilities within their jurisdiction comply with the Convention.
As of now, the Hong Kong Convention has been ratified by several countries, including Bangladesh, Belgium, Republic of the Congo, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Ghana, India, Japan, Liberia, Luxembourg, Malta, Marshall Islands, Kingdom of the Netherlands, Norway, Pakistan, Panama, Portugal, São Tomé and PrÃncipe, Serbia, Spain, and Türkiye. These contracting parties are committed to upholding the standards outlined in the Convention for the safe and environmentally responsible recycling of ships.
