Hong Kong Convention (HKC)

Hong Kong Convention (HKC) on Ship Recycling 

• Context : The Hong Kong International Convention (HKC) for safe and environmentally sound recycling of ships came into force on June 26, 2025, 16 years after its adoption (2009)

•  by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) in collaboration with ILO and Basel Convention parties.

• Objective: Aims to regulate ship recycling to ensure:

  • Safe handling of hazardous substances (e.g., asbestos, heavy metals, hydrocarbons).

  • Better working conditions and environmental safeguards in shipbreaking yards.

• Implementation in India:

  • India has 131 shipbreaking yards, of which 112 already comply with HKC norms, verified by IACS-class societies.

  • Gujarat Maritime Board oversees worker training and safety.

  • Facilities for worker welfare include hospitals with ICU, CT, and MRI.

  • India employs around 30,000 workers in this sector.

• Challenges:

  • Financing issues: No dedicated bank credit lines; most yard upgrades were self-funded.

  • Currency risk: Ships bought in dollars, scrap sold in rupees.

  • Low activity: 2024 witnessed lowest ship arrivals in 20 years; only 20 yards operational.

• Criticism:

• NGO Shipbreaking Platform criticizes HKC for not banning beaching, a harmful shipbreaking method used on tidal mudflats in Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan, which poses serious risks to workers and marine ecosystems.