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The process of ship lifecycle management after the entry into force of the Hong Kong Convention

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LCS

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Post time:

2025-09-08

The modern shipbuilding industry, marked by the construction of iron and steel ships, began to develop in the 19th century. Therefore, obtaining recyclable metal materials and other resources from scrapped ships through ship dismantling has attracted the attention of some countries or regions with insufficient mineral and natural resources and seeking industrial and economic development. Among them, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Türkiye and China have gradually become the world's major ship dismantling countries, and have undertaken more than 90% of the global ship dismantling volume. At the same time, with the development of the economy and society and the increasing requirements for safety and environmental protection, the trade of waste ships and traditional dismantling methods have also attracted widespread attention from the international community.

 

1、 The regulatory process of global green ship dismantling activities by the international community

Development of International Conventions:

In 1989, the Basel Convention first included scrapped ships in the scope of hazardous waste trade constraints.

Since 1998, IMO has gradually included ship dismantling in its agenda. In 2005, mandatory legal documents were initiated, and China's proposal for "environmentally friendly treatment, international cooperation, and technical funding support" was adopted.

Resolution MSC.99 (73) passed by IMO on December 5, 2000: SOLAS Reg. II-1/3-5. Starting from July 1, 2002, all ships are prohibited from installing materials containing asbestos, except in special circumstances.

In May 2009, the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships (HKC) was adopted in Hong Kong, becoming the first international convention covering the entire life cycle of ships, named after Hong Kong, China.

On December 2, 2010, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) passed two circular letters regarding asbestos, MSC.1/Circ.1374 and MSC.1/Circ.1379.

The EU 1257/2013 Ship Recycling Regulation was announced on December 10, 2013 and officially came into effect on December 30, 2013.

As of June 2023, 23 countries have ratified and joined, covering 95% of the world's ship recycling tonnage. The Hong Kong Convention officially came into effect on June 26, 2025.

 

 

2、 The concept of the Hong Kong Convention and its importance for the full lifecycle management of ships

The concept of the Hong Kong Convention; From ship design and construction to operation and maintenance, and finally to dismantling, the entire lifecycle promotes safety, protects human health, and the marine environment.

 

 

 

 

The requirements of the Hong Kong Convention for marine products:

General Requirements

Scope of Control: Products in Appendix 1 and Appendix 2 of the Convention - Different Requirements.

Suppliers (including manufacturers and suppliers of equipment, components, and materials) shall develop a "Material Declaration" (MD) and a "Supplier Compliance Declaration" (SDoC).

New Shipbuilding - Supply Requirements for Shipped Products

The vessel must hold an IHM, with Part I based on the MD provided by the supplier.

First tier suppliers should provide MD and SDoC according to the requirements of the shipyard. First tier suppliers may request second tier suppliers to provide them with relevant information, and so on.

MD - Identify and declare whether there are substances in Appendix 1 and exceeding the threshold levels in Appendix 2.

Exists in the material and related information

SDoC - Ensure MD meets requirements and clarify responsible parties.

Existing ships - supply requirements for newly installed ship products

Require the supplier to provide relevant MD and SDoC to the shipowner for the new shipbuilding.

The shipowner is responsible for maintaining and updating the ship's IHM.

 

 

The Importance of the Hong Kong Convention in Promoting Full Life Cycle Management of Ships

Shipbuilding, shipping, ship dismantling, and metallurgy form a complete industrial chain for ships, promoting the circular and green development of related industrial chains, which is in line with the basic direction of low-carbon pollution reduction and green growth promoted by the country. The importance of promoting the full lifecycle management of ships in China is self-evident and has now been included in the work plans of relevant national ship management departments.

Evolution of Policies and Regulations:

In 1988, the State Council promulgated the "Regulations on Environmental Management of Textile Ship Dismantling Pollution", and subsequently, multiple departments issued safety and environmental protection ship dismantling standards and specifications.

In 2009, the State Council's "Plan for the Adjustment and Revitalization of the Shipbuilding Industry" proposed to "standardize the development of the dismantling industry and implement designated dismantling". In the same year, the "Regulations on the Prevention and Control of Marine Environmental Pollution from Ships" for the first time globally prohibited the dismantling of ships on beaches.

Recent policies: In 2022, the multi departmental plan requires strengthening the management of the entire life cycle of ships; The 2023 Action Plan for Green Development of Shipbuilding Industry requires the comprehensive implementation of safe and environmentally friendly ship dismantling; The revised Marine Environmental Protection Law in 2024 adds provisions for the prevention and control of pollution caused by ship dismantling.

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