Marshall Islands Joins The Hong Kong Ship Recycling Convention

• The Republic of the Marshall Islands has become a contracting party to the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships, 2009 (Hong Kong Convention).
• Mr. Nicholas Makar, Deputy Commissioner of Maritime Affairs for the Republic of the Marshall Islands, deposited the instrument of accession with Arsenio Dominguez, Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), at IMO Headquarters in London on 18 January.
• The Hong Kong Convention imposes responsibilities and obligations on various stakeholders, including shipowners, shipbuilding yards, ship recycling facilities, flag States, port States, and recycling States.
• Governments must ensure that recycling facilities within their jurisdiction comply with the provisions of the Convention.
• The Hong Kong Convention currently has the following contracting parties: 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 Príncipe, Serbia, Spain, and Türkiye.

Hong Kong Convention’s Entry Into Force

The Marshall Islands has officially acceded to the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships, 2009 (Hong Kong Convention).

Mr. Nicholas Makar, Deputy Commissioner of Maritime Affairs, Republic of the Marshall Islands, deposited the instrument of accession with IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez at IMO Headquarters in London (18 January).

The Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships (the Hong Kong Convention)  will enter into force on 26 June 2025.

Founding Principles Of The Hong Kong Convention

The Hong Kong Convention was adopted at a diplomatic conference in Hong Kong, China 2009. It aims to ensure that ships, when recycled after reaching the end of their operational lives, do not pose any unnecessary risks to human health, safety, and the environment. It embraces the “cradle to grave” concept, addressing all environmental and safety aspects relating to ship recycling, including the responsible management and disposal of associated waste streams in a safe and environmentally sound manner.

The Convention places responsibilities and obligations on all parties concerned – including shipowners, shipbuilding yards, ship recycling facilities, flag States, port States, and recycling States.

Expanding International Commitment

Upon entry into force of the Hong Kong Convention, ships to be sent for recycling will be required to carry on board an Inventory of Hazardous Materials. Ship recycling facilities authorized by Competent Authorities will be required to provide a Ship Recycling Plan, specific to each vessel to be recycled. Additionally, Governments must ensure that recycling facilities under their jurisdiction comply with the Convention.

The Hong Kong Convention now has the following contracting parties: 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 Príncipe, Serbia, Spain, and Türkiye.

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Source: Imo

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