The Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships has finally been ratified by two of the biggest ship-recycling countries Bangladesh and Liberia. This ratification is coming 14 years after it was first adopted by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) in 2009.
The convention was also immediately adopted by 63 countries but could only be fully sanctioned this week after ratification by Bangladesh and Liberia on June 26.
With both Bangladesh and Liberia ratifying the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships (Hong Kong Convention) on 26 June it will finally come into force on 26 June 2025.
The previously announced accession by Bangladesh had pushed the convention over the line in terms of ratification by ship recycling capacity of not less than 3% of the gross tonnage of the combined merchant shipping of ratifying states, while Liberia meant the convention also cleared the 40% of the world fleet by gross tonnage marker.
Congratulating the both countries, KiTack Lim, Secretary-General of the IMO said:
“I congratulate Bangladesh and Liberia for depositing their instruments of accession this June, triggering within 24 months the entry into force of the Hong Kong Convention, and the global regime for safe and environmentally sound recycling of ships,” said
“This is a momentous day for IMO, and it is indeed a historical development for the international shipping industry, for the marine environment, and especially for workers and local communities in ship recycling countries globally,” he concluded.
The Hong Kong Convention will enter into force 24 months after the following required criteria have been met:
- not less than 15 States;
- not less than 40% of the world’s merchant shipping by gross tonnage; and
- ship recycling capacity of not less than 3% of the gross tonnage of the combined merchant shipping of those States mentioned above.
These conditions have now been met. The Hong Kong Convention will enter into force on 26 June 2025.
Bangladesh is one of the world’s largest ship recycling countries by capacity. Liberia is one of the world’s largest flag States by tonnage.
