New standards for ship recycling: Hong Kong Convention comes into force!

New standards for ship recycling: Hong Kong Convention comes into force!

Whether on the water or in the harbor – ships often have an eventful life behind them. After around 30 years of service, many of them turn to the scrap press, especially in the South Asia region, where scrapping usually takes place under difficult and dangerous conditions. But change is imminent: On June 26, 2025, the Hong Kong Convention will come into force, which is intended to set new standards for ship recycling worldwide. How star reported, this not only improves occupational safety and environmental protection, but also transparency in the recycling process.

An important element of the convention is the hazardous substances passport, which is required for every decommissioned ship. This passport lists all dangerous materials installed in the ship, such as asbestos or other toxic substances. In addition, the shipyards that carry out the recycling must be certified. This is to ensure that they can meet the necessary standards for safety and environmental protection.

The reality in South Asia

The shocking conditions prevailing in recycling yards cannot be ignored. How ZDF Reportedly, untrained workers work in Bangladesh and other countries, often without protective clothing. There the beach becomes a recycling plant, which not only poses health risks but also puts a lot of strain on the environment. Last year there were nine deaths and numerous injuries in these shipyards. People there face health risks that are exacerbated by contact with dangerous materials such as asbestos.

Around 700 ships are withdrawn from service around the world every year, and around 90% of them end up in South Asia. Last year, only 25 of 409 ocean-going commercial vessels sold in the EU were recycled, while 255 were sold directly to South Asia, according to Stern. This raises the question: Why isn't the recycling process happening more in our own ports?

A new chapter for ship recycling

The Hong Kong Convention is a step in the right direction, but there are concerns that the improvement required is not enough. Critics complain that the convention does not ban the controversial beaching method, in which ships are dismantled directly on the beach. It remains to be seen whether these regulations are actually sufficient, especially as the number of ships that need to be recycled could increase in the coming years.

In Germany, the maritime economy could benefit from this. The first ships will soon be recycled in Emden, with smaller freighters taking the lead. A great opportunity not only to improve environmental protection and working conditions, but also to keep valuable materials such as steel in the region and use them for new ships or other industries.

The potential is great: tens of thousands of tons of steel could be recovered using an old freighter. Given that an estimated 80% of steel requirements in Bangladesh are already covered by recycling, German recycling could also be interesting for the domestic industry.

A deeper dialogue on the implementation of the Hong Kong Convention is essential to shape the maritime future sustainably. After all, we not only need a good hand for shipping, but also for the world's oceans.