The Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships
Overview
The Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships aims at reducing the negative impact of ship recycling on human health and safety and on the environment.
The Hong Kong Convention was adopted in May 2009. Its entry into force will happen 24 months after ratification by at least 15 States, representing 40% of world merchant shipping by gross tonnage, and combined maximum annual ship recycling volume not less than 3% of their combined tonnage.
For the moment, 15 States have ratified the Convention representing 30% of world GT and 2.5% of recycling tonnage.
The Hong Kong Convention addresses all the issues around ship recycling, including the fact that ships sold for scrapping may contain environmentally hazardous substances such as asbestos, heavy metals, hydrocarbons, ozone depleting substances and others which are harmful for both yard workers as well as environment..
Rules relating to hazardous materials on ships
Ships to be sent for recycling will be required to carry an Inventory of Hazardous Materials (IHM), which will be specific to each ship.
Ships will be required to have an initial survey to verify the HMI, renewal surveys during the life of the ship, and a final survey prior to recycling.
The Hong Kong Convention and the EU SRR
The Hong Kong Convention has already been implemented for EU-flagged vessels and vessels from third countries calling at an EU port or anchorage through the EU Ship Recycling Regulation (EU SRR) , therefore contributing to its global entry into force.
What can Verifavia Shipping do for you?
Approved by several classification societies and flag states, with more than 950 IHM Part-I, II & III prepared with 100% approval record Verifavia Shipping is one of the world’s leading IHM service supplier delivering IHMs with unmatched quality in record time for ships subject to the EU SRR and / or the Hong Kong Convention.
> More information about our HMI preparation services
> Read our Press Release announcing our launch of HMI preparation services
Download center
> Download the Regulation (EU) No 1257/2013 (EU SRR)
> Download the Hong Kong Convention
> Download the EMSA guidance document on the development of IHM
> Download the IMO guidelines on the development of IHM