The Liberian Maritime Authority issued a Marine Operations Note to inform that the Liberian Administration requires shipowners with ships calling at any EU port to have onboard a valid ICIHM and ships calling ports around the world other than EU Ports to have onboard the ICIHM no later than 26 June 2025; or before going for recycling, if this is earlier.
The Administration has sufficient number of trained and qualified auditors and inspectors world-wide to carry out the surveys. Recognized Organizations (RO) have been informed that from 1 April 2024, all surveys under the HKC of all ships in service registered or registering with Liberia, will be conducted by the Administration.
The entry-into-force criteria for the Hong Kong Convention were met on 26 June 2023 and consequently the Convention will enter into force on 26 June 2025 and applies to all new and existing ships of 500 GT and over.
The European Parliament formerly adopted the EU SRR on 20 November 2013. The EU SRR entered into force on 30 December 2013 and requires all non-EU-flagged ships of 500 GT and above calling at EU ports; from 31 December 2020, to have onboard a valid international certificate on Inventory of Hazardous Materials (ICIHM).
The Administration auditors will be able to issue an ICIHM with a reference to the EU SRR in order to meet the EU and the IMO requirements. Additionally, the auditors will be able to issue the International Ready for Recycling Certificate (IRRC) to a vessel when it is ready to be recycled.
The Administrations auditors may conduct the surveys as a stand-alone service, or during the annual safety inspection (ASI), and/or ISM/ISPS/MLC audit/inspection.
