The Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships, 2009 (in short, the Hong Kong Convention or HKC), was adopted at a diplomatic conference held in Hong Kong in May 2009. The Convention is expected to come into force very soon. Meanwhile, the EU has gone ahead and announced its own guidelines- on similar lines as HKC.

Regulations in the new Convention cover the design, construction, operation and preparation of ships. Upon entry into force, ships sent for recycling will have to carry an Inventory of Hazardous Materials (IHM). An initial survey is carried out to verify the inventory of hazardous materials, additional surveys during the life of the ship, and a final survey before recycling.

Ship recycling yards will have to prepare a ship-specific recycling plan, specifying how each ship will be recycled. Member states will be required to ensure that such facilities fully comply with the Convention.

Delivered in the seminar mode, this half-day, interactive session focuses on awareness-building, covers the provisions of the Convention and addresses any questions that the participants might have.

Technical managers from shipping and ship management companies, shipyards, managers and supervisors from ship recycling companies. Maritime Boards, port administrations involved in ship recycling.