Two ship recycling yards in India have been certified by Class NK as being technically compliant with the IMO’s Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships (HKC).
Although the convention has not yet entered into force, statements of compliance were issued by the class society to Shree Ram Vessel Scrap and Leela Ship Recycling, both of which are based in Gujarat, India.
Class NK said both yards have made “substantial improvements” to their facilities to enable “safer and greener ship recycling”, and have developed ship recycling facility plans (SRFPs) needed to certify their compliance with the HKC.
The class society said it verified the SRFPs were being followed by conducting on-site technical inspections.
The HKC itself aims to address concerns about working and environmental conditions at shipbreaking yards, and the management of hazardous substances contained within ships being scrapped.
The convention was adopted in 2009 and will enter into force 24 months after being ratified by 15 IMO member states representing 40% of global merchant shipping by gross tonnage. So far, only three states representing 1.86% of the global fleet’s gross tonnage have ratified the HKC.
