As the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships 2009 (Hong Kong Convention) approaches its implementation date of June 26, 2025, concerns arise regarding potential conflicts with the UN’s Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal 1989 (Basel Convention) and its Ban Amendment.
Key features
- Regulatory Intersections: The convergence of the Hong Kong Convention with the Basel Convention and its Ban Amendment sparks debates over consistency and potential conflicts.
- Compliance Challenges: Ambiguities arise, particularly concerning ships flagged in non-OECD nations, leading to uncertainties in certification and enforcement.
- Seeking Clarity: Industry stakeholders, including BIMCO and the International Chamber of Shipping, petition the IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) to address legal inconsistencies and provide guidance for seamless compliance.
- Charting the Course Forward: Proposed amendments to the EU Waste Shipment Regulation offer a glimpse of regulatory evolution, aiming to reconcile divergent standards and ensure a level playing field for responsible ship recycling.
This dynamic landscape underscores the urgent need for regulatory harmonization and clarity to navigate the complexities of ship recycling sustainably.
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Source: Baltic exchange
