Hong Kong Convention (HKC)

The Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships, adopted in 2009, entered into force on 26 June 2025, twenty-four months after the tonnage and recycling-volume conditions were met. It requires ships of 500 GT and above on international voyages to carry an approved Inventory of Hazardous Materials and, by 26 June 2030, an International Certificate on the IHM. Recycling must take place only at authorized facilities operating to an approved Ship Recycling Facility Plan, with a ship-specific recycling plan and a Ready for Recycling certificate before the ship is delivered.