ECSA (European Community Shipowners’ Associations) has released a statement to warmly welcome the Bangladeshi authorities’ decision to ratify the Hong Kong Convention.
During a visit to Bangladesh by Norwegian authorities, the Norwegian Shipping Association, the European Community Shipowners’ Association, the International Chamber of Shipping and BIMCO, between 8-11 May 2023, the Bangladesh Government confirmed that the country will ratify the Hong Kong Convention.
The Hong Kong Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships will enter into force, after its ratification by Bangladesh. The Bangladeshi authorities have indeed pledged to ratify the convention before summer. According to ECSA, this marks a leap forward to ensure proper recycling of ships.
Last week, ECSA Secretary General, Sotiris Raptis, visited Bangladesh as part of a delegation led by the Norwegian authorities to put focus on this important issue. It was during this visit that the Bangladeshi authorities made the pledge.
It is a clear priority for European shipowners to make sure that decommissioned ships are recycled in a safe and environmentally sound manner, and this ratification is a huge step in the right direction.
…said ECSA Secretary General, Sotiris Raptis.
