The Hong Kong Convention

The Hong Kong Convention – The Critical 2025 Milestone in Ship Breaking

The Hong Kong Convention (HKC) was adopted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in 2009 to ensure that ships, when recycled at the end of their life:

• Do not pose risks to human health,
• Compromise safety,
• Compromise the environment.

It was created in response to unsafe and polluting shipbreaking practices, especially in South Asia. After years of delay, the HKC met the conditions for entry into force on 26 June 2023 and became legally binding on 26 June 2025.

The long-overdue entry into force in 2025 offers a real opportunity to transform an industry long associated with environmental degradation and human suffering into one of safe, regulated, and environmentally sound practice. Barry discusses the convention, it’s delays, the IMO’s procedures and the required documentation.