The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) welcomes the leadership shown by principal ship recycling country Bangladesh for agreeing to ratify the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships (Hong Kong Convention).
The Hong Kong Convention was developed over three and a half years in cooperation with the International Labor Organization (ILO) and the parties to the Basel Convention. It was adopted by 63 countries in 2009 and addresses safety, proper working conditions, environmental issues and how to deal with hazardous materials. Until now, the Convention has not been ratified by enough nations to enter into force. The Bangladeshi ratification will allow for the Convention to enter into force.
John Stawpert, Senior Manager (Environment and Trade) of the International Chamber of Shipping pointed out that the industry is international and ship recycling can only be effectively governed through a global system.
He also claimed that regional systems that ignore the economic realities of the industry are easily circumvented and this positive development will guarantee sufficient compliant recycling capacity under the oversight of national authorities and the United Nations regulator, the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
As the industry continues to push forward on its decarbonization trajectory ship recycling will be of significant importance in meeting net zero emissions by 2050 as the existing fleet is decommissioned in coming years to be replaced by net zero vessels. Through the ratification of the Convention a supply of vessels for facilities that are compliant with the Hong Kong Convention will be guaranteed.
The two-year entry into force period following ratification of the Convention will allow those who suffered a shortfall in improvements due to this to catch up in terms of investment, infrastructure and training, and this can be assisted with funding from existing technical cooperation mechanisms.
… said John Stawpert, John Stawpert, Senior Manager (Environment and Trade) of the International Chamber of Shipping
John Stawpert also reminded that in 2018 Bangladesh committed to ratifying the Hong Kong Convention by 2023 through its Ship Recycle Act which preserves the terms of the Hong Kong Convention into national law, and Bangladesh began the process of improving its recycling capacity with its adoption.
He added that as with all parts of the maritime industry, ship breaking and recycling was impacted by the changes and challenges created by COVID-19 and this interrupted progress in improving facilities in Bangladesh to the program defined in the Act.
To remind, the Bangladeshi Government had confirmed that the country will ratify the Hong Kong Convention during a visit to Bangladesh by industry stakeholders, between 8-11 May 2023.
