Press Releases
Entry into force of “Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships, 2009”
June 26, 2025
- On 26 June, "Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships, 2009" entered into force, for which Japan had deposited the instrument of accession on 27 March 2019.
- The Convention specifies, for the safe and environmentally sound recycling of ships, prohibitions and restrictions on the installation or use of hazardous materials on ships, as well as requirements for ship recycling facilities authorized by Contracting States.
- Japan welcomes the entry into force of the Convention as it is meaningful from the perspective of protecting environment, ensuring the safety of workers and contributing to the sustainable development of the maritime industry. As a major shipping and shipbuilding nation, Japan is committed to the effective implementation of the Convention.
(Reference) Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships, 2009
The Convention was adopted in the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in May 2009. The Convention entered into force for all the Contracting States on 26 June 2025, i.e. 24 months after the entry-into-force conditions were met in 26 June 2023. Those conditions are as follows:
- Not less than 15 Sates;
- Not less than 40% of the world's merchant shipping by gross tonnage; and
- Ship recycling capacity, i.e. the combined maximum annual ship recycling volume of those States mentioned above during the preceding 10 years, of not less than 3% of the gross tonnage of the combined merchant shipping of the same States.