Maritime Glossary
Hong Kong Convention
Also known as: Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships, Ship Recycling Convention
The IMO convention setting safety and environmental standards for ship recycling facilities and the decommissioning of vessels.
Full Definition
The Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships was adopted in 2009 and entered into force in June 2025. It requires ships to carry an Inventory of Hazardous Materials (IHM) and a Ship Recycling Plan, and mandates that recycling be carried out only at approved facilities meeting defined standards. The convention addresses hazardous materials on board (asbestos, PCBs, heavy metals, ODS) and requires safe working practices to protect shipyard workers and the marine environment.