The Hong Kong Convention and EU SRR

The Hong Kong International Convention for Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships (HKC) will come into full force on June 26, 2025. Are you ready?

It aims to ensure responsible and eco-friendly ship recycling, requiring vessels to maintain an Inventory of Hazardous Materials (IHM) throughout their service.

The EU Ship Recycling Regulation (EU SRR) is based on the same principles as HKC but applies specifically to EU-flagged ships. EU SRR ensures that ships flagged in the EU follow strict recycling and hazardous material regulations, aligning with the HKC’s standards. This makes compliance inspections at EU ports consistent with international standards.

Will this affect you?

The HKC applies to ships, primarily commercial vessels of 500 gross tons and above operating internationally, ship recycling facilities, flag states and port states. While EU SRR focuses on all ships flying EU flags or visiting EU ports. Together, these regulations affect ship owners, operators, and recycling facilities, requiring them to meet stringent health, safety, and environmental standards.

While the HKC and the EU Ship Recycling Regulation (EU SRR) both require an Inventory of Hazardous Materials (IHM), the EU has stricter enforcement for keeping it updated and verified. For countries outside the EU, the IHM requirement depends on whether they've adopted the HKC.

Here’s what will happen:

1. Global Standards: The HKC will establish mandatory global standards for the recycling of ships, ensuring that the process is safe and environmentally sound.
2. Inventory of Hazardous Materials (IHM): Ships will be required to carry an IHM, detailing the hazardous materials on board. This inventory must be maintained throughout the ship’s life and verified through surveys.
3. Ship Recycling Plans: Recycling facilities will need to develop specific Ship Recycling Plans for each vessel, outlining how the ship will be dismantled safely and in an environmentally friendly manner.
4. Certification and Reporting: Ships and recycling facilities will be subject to certification and reporting requirements to ensure compliance with the convention’s standards.
5. Improved Safety and Environmental Protection: The HKC aims to reduce risks to human health and the environment by regulating the design, construction, operation, and recycling of ships.

These measures are designed to enhance the safety and environmental sustainability of ship recycling on a global scale. This is something we care about at Metizoft and we have been assisting many shipowners staying compliant for almost two decades. We can help you stay compliant in 2025 with all the upcoming regulations. Contact us today to learn how we can assist you with maritime reporting and safe ship recycling. Let’s work together to ensure a safer, greener future for the maritime industry.