Hong Kong Convention for safe ship recycling enters into force

The Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships has entered into force, establishing mandatory regulations to govern the way ships are recycled. 

Most ships are recycled when they are taken out of operation, with almost all materials and equipment from the ship being reused or recycled. 

The Hong Kong Convention addresses key environmental, occupational health, and safety risks involved in the recycling of ships, while distributing responsibilities and obligations across relevant stakeholders – shipowners, ship building yards, ship recycling facilities, port states and recycling states.