Japan ratifies Hong Kong convention

The convention which will enter into force 24 months after ratification by 15 states, representing 40% of the world merchant shipping by gross tonnage, and a combined maximum annual ship recycling volume not less than 3% of their combined tonnage.

The ten states are Belgium, Denmark, France, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, Panama, the Republic of the Congo, the Republic of Serbia and Turkey, representing 23.16% of the world merchant shipping tonnage. Combined ship recycling volume is currently 0.57%.

The top five ship recycling countries, accounting for more than 90% by tonnage are Bangladesh, China, India, Pakistan and Turkey.

Under the convention, ships sent for recycling are required to carry an inventory of hazardous materials and recycling yards are required to provide a ‘Ship Recycling Plan’ specifying the manner in which each ship will be recycled, depending on its particulars and its inventory.

Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) of Japan is host an international seminar on ship recycling and how to accelerate the entry into force of the Hong Kong Convention with the IMO Secretariat. The seminar will be held on 10 May 2019 at IMO Headquarters in London.