Hong Kong Convention

The Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships, adopted in 2009, entered into force on 26 June 2025. It requires ships above 500 GT to carry an Inventory of Hazardous Materials and to be recycled only at authorized facilities operating an approved ship recycling plan. Recycling yards must hold a Document of Authorization, and ships undergo a final survey and an International Ready for Recycling Certificate before delivery. The Convention aligns with, but is separate from, the EU Ship Recycling Regulation and the Basel Convention.