New rules for ship recycling: focus on environmental protection and occupational safety!

New rules for ship recycling: focus on environmental protection and occupational safety!

This will take place on June 26, 2025 Hong Kong Convention came into force, which is considered a groundbreaking step for ship recycling. After years of negotiations, an international set of rules is being created to protect people and the environment. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) adopted the convention in 2009, and now, 16 years later, it is becoming a reality.

In the future, ships will only be allowed to be recycled according to new, internationally recognized standards. Every seagoing vessel must carry a hazardous substances passport. This lists all materials that are considered hazardous substances. Workplace and environmental protection are a particular focus here: shipyards that want to specialize in recycling must be certified. Additionally, another certificate is required if ships are to be recycled.

The challenges so far

Currently, around 700 seagoing vessels are decommissioned every year, with 90% of these being recycled in South Asia, particularly in countries such as Bangladesh, Pakistan and India. This practice often has serious consequences because the working conditions are precarious. Ships are driven onto beaches where untrained and often underage workers work in dangerous conditions. There is a lack of protective clothing and the risk of accidents is high. Last year, nine workers died and 45 were injured.

The environmental damage is no less serious. Toxic materials such as asbestos and harmful oils in the old ships place significant strain on the marine ecosystem. While the Hong Kong Convention is a step forward, it still needs further development to ban beach recycling and ensure a safer working environment, as recommended by the Hong Kong Convention World described.

Outlook and opportunities for the maritime economy

The maritime economy in northern Germany and especially in Emden could benefit from the new regulations. A greater focus on recycling in the EU is on the cards, as the number of ships to be recycled could almost increase in the next decade. The EU's ship recycling regulation has been in force since 2013, but it can be circumvented by reflagging ships, which is repeatedly criticized.

With the entry into force of the Hong Kong Convention, we could now see an important step towards more sustainable and responsible ship recycling. The Association of German Shipowners (VDR) sees this as a significant milestone. But the implementation of the convention remains exciting: Will it have the desired effect, and will the economic incentives for the beaching method be maintained? Time will tell, but it remains to be hoped that the working conditions for people working in ship recycling will improve, as will ecological standards.