Description
The Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships, 2025 Edition contains the official text of the Hong Kong Convention, developed by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to ensure that ships are recycled safely without unnecessary risk to people or the environment.
Ships contain large quantities of steel and other valuable materials, but can also contain hazardous substances such as asbestos, heavy metals, oil products and other environmentally harmful components. The Hong Kong Convention is designed to ensure that ship recycling takes place under controlled conditions that protect both workers and the marine environment.
The convention sets out requirements for both ships and ship recycling facilities. The regulations include mapping of hazardous materials through the Inventory of Hazardous Materials (IHM), requirements for certification, inspections and documentation throughout the life of the vessel.
The Hong Kong Convention is used by shipping companies, shipyards, recycling facilities, classification societies, flag states and maritime authorities working with vessel management and environmental compliance. The publication is particularly relevant for companies that need to prepare vessels for recycling or ensure compliance with international requirements related to the scrapping of ships.
The 2025 edition is particularly important as the Hong Kong Convention entered into force internationally on June 26, 2025, establishing a global legal framework for safe and environmentally sound ship recycling. The publication provides an authoritative reference to the current requirements that now apply to much of the international shipping industry.
The regulations contribute to increased safety, better working conditions and reduced environmental impact when dismantling and recycling ships, while promoting more sustainable solutions within the maritime industry.
Kart.no delivers IMO publications to customers in Norway and the Nordic countries, including the Hong Kong Convention, MARPOL, SOLAS, STCW, Ballast Water Management Convention and other official maritime publications from the International Maritime Organization.
