The Hong Kong Convention Enters into Force in June 2025
The international maritime industry is on the cusp of a regulatory milestone. Beginning 26 June 2025, the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships (HKC)—a long-anticipated global agreement—will officially come into force, setting legally binding standards for ship recycling across the globe.
This development marks a significant shift toward accountability, sustainability, and safety in shipbreaking practices, especially for shipowners, technical managers, and recycling yards operating across diverse flag states.
The HKC introduces a comprehensive legal and operational framework designed to eliminate unsafe dismantling practices, reduce environmental contamination, and ensure workers' safety in ship recycling yards. With enforcement just weeks away, stakeholders must understand the Convention's requirements and prepare proactively.
In this blog, we'll break down:
Let's dive in.
The Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships (HKC) was adopted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in 2009 to address the growing concerns surrounding unsafe and polluting ship recycling practices—particularly in countries lacking strong environmental and labour protections.
The Convention sets globally binding standards aimed at ensuring that ships, when being recycled after reaching the end of their operational lives, do not pose unnecessary risks to human health or the environment.
Unlike earlier fragmented regulations, the HKC covers the entire lifecycle of a ship—from its design, construction, and operational use to its final dismantling and recycling. It requires:
By setting clear responsibilities for both shipowners and recycling states, the HKC represents a critical step toward more sustainable, transparent, and accountable ship recycling practices worldwide.
For decades, the global shipping industry faced growing criticism over the unsafe and environmentally damaging methods used to dismantle end-of-life vessels—especially in countries lacking strict labour or environmental regulations. A significant number of ships were being sent to beaching yards, primarily in South Asia (India, Bangladesh, Pakistan), where they were torn apart directly on tidal shores.
These practices posed grave dangers:
Workers—often unskilled, underpaid, and unprotected—were routinely exposed to deadly substances without proper equipment or training. Accidents, injuries, and fatalities were alarmingly common, with little to no medical or legal recourse for affected workers.
Ships contain numerous toxic substances, including:
Without adequate handling procedures, these substances leached into the soil, water, and air—causing long-term damage to marine ecosystems and nearby communities.
Beaching yards often lacked proper waste management infrastructure. Oils, chemicals, and toxic residues from dismantled vessels were directly discharged into open environments, leading to contamination of groundwater and irreversible harm to coastal biodiversity.
To address this global issue, the Hong Kong Convention (HKC) was created to set enforceable standards and close the regulatory gap by requiring:
By doing so, the HKC not only protects workers and the environment, but also enhances regulatory consistency across the global maritime industry—ushering in an era of responsible, ethical, and sustainable ship recycling.
The HKC outlines a robust compliance framework that covers the entire process of ship recycling—from documentation and planning to on-the-ground dismantling and monitoring. Below are the three core pillars of the Convention:
At the heart of HKC compliance is the Inventory of Hazardous Materials (IHM)—a mandatory, ship-specific document that identifies and records all potentially hazardous materials present onboard a vessel.
The IHM consists of three parts:
Key Compliance Requirements:
Before a vessel is sent for dismantling, the selected authorized ship recycling facility must prepare a Ship Recycling Plan (SRP), which is a vessel-specific document tailored to the ship's Inventory of Hazardous Materials (IHM).
The SRP must:
This ensures that recycling is pre-planned, auditable, and transparent, mitigating ad hoc practices that have historically led to injury and environmental harm.
Only certified and approved recycling yards may carry out dismantling activities under the HKC. To receive and maintain authorization, facilities must meet comprehensive requirements, including:
This ensures ship recycling occurs in controlled environments rather than on open beaches, promoting safer and greener end-of-life vessel management.
While the HKC is a global treaty, the EU Ship Recycling Regulation (EU SRR) is a regional law that has already been in effect since 2013 and applies to EU-flagged ships.
| Feature | HKC | EU SRR |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Global coverage | Applies only to EU-flagged vessels |
| Status | Enters into force on 26 June 2025 | In force since 31 December 2013 |
| Recycling Yards | Must be HKC-compliant | Must be included on the EU-approved list of recycling facilities |
| IHM Requirements | As per IMO guidelines | Includes stricter criteria and additional materials |
| Certification | Inventory Certificate (ICIHM), Ready for Recycling Certificate | Similar structure, with EU-compliant formats |
🔍 Important Note: Ships that call at EU ports or operate under EU flags must comply with both HKC and EU SRR to avoid penalties or restrictions. Harmonizing compliance with both regimes is essential for global operations.
After over a decade of anticipation, the Hong Kong Convention (HKC) is finally becoming legally binding—and the clock is ticking.
Effective 26 June 2025, the Convention will introduce mandatory compliance requirements for all parties involved in ship recycling. Key obligations include:
Shipowners and managers who fail to prepare for HKC implementation may face serious consequences:
With only a short window remaining, proactive compliance is not just recommended—it's essential. Aligning your operations with HKC requirements before the deadline will ensure uninterrupted global mobility, smoother vessel recycling processes, and a demonstrable commitment to sustainability and legal integrity.
At Varuna Sentinels BV, we provide end-to-end HKC compliance solutions, helping shipowners, managers, and yards navigate this transition confidently.
We:
💡No IHM = No Port Access. Don't wait for last-minute complications.
Our proprietary software—VSIMS (Varuna Sentinels IHM Maintenance Server)—ensures digital, up-to-date IHM compliance:
📚 Stay audit-ready 24/7, not just at inspection time.
We assist in:
♻️ We guide your vessel through a safe and legally compliant final voyage.
We empower your teams with the knowledge needed to meet HKC standards:
🎓 Well-trained teams ensure long-term, sustainable compliance.
Planning to become an HKC-compliant yard? We help you:
The Ship Recycling Facility Plan (SRFP) is a comprehensive, facility-wide document required by the HKC. It describes the yard's overall infrastructure, procedures, safety measures, and environmental controls for all recycling operations. While the SRFP covers the yard's general compliance and capabilities, the SRP is prepared for each individual ship to outline its specific recycling process.
📈 HKC authorization opens the door to global ship recycling contracts.
The Hong Kong Convention isn't just about legislation—it's about responsible transformation. As the world transitions to more sustainable maritime practices, early adopters stand to gain the most—in safety, trust, and business opportunities.
Let us help your fleet and facilities transition smoothly to HKC compliance.
📧 Email: contact@varuna-sentinels.com
🌐 Website: www.varuna-sentinels.com
🚢 Be HKC-ready before 26 June 2025—with Varuna Sentinels BV as your expert partner.