RS is ready for the Hong Kong Convention

Bangladesh (one of the world's largest ship recycling countries) and Liberia (one of the leaders in fleet tonnage) joined the Convention, enabling the document to enter into force on June 26, 2025.

Currently, prior to the Convention’s entry into force, RS has relevant authorizations from a number of maritime administrations. At the request of shipowners, RS issues a Ready for recycling Statement to confirm the vessel’s compliance with the Convention’s provisions.

After the entry into force of the Hong Kong Convention:

• ships to be sent for recycling will be required to carry onboard an Inventory of Hazardous Materials (IHM)
• ship recycling facilities authorized by competent authorities will be required to provide a Ship Recycling Plan, specific to each individual vessel to be recycled
• governments will be required to ensure that recycling facilities under their jurisdiction comply with the Convention.

The Hong Kong Convention, adopted in 2009 at the International Conference on the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships in Hong Kong, China, applies to ships of 500 gt or above, except for ships operating only in the waters under the sovereignty and jurisdiction of the vessel’s flag state, as well as military and support vessels, and ships used for public non-profit service. The Hong Kong Convention is aimed at ensuring that ships, when being recycled after reaching the end of their operational lives, do not pose any unnecessary risks to human health, safety and the environment. The Convention places responsibilities and obligations on all parties concerned – including shipowners, shipyards, ship recycling facilities, flag states, port states and recycling states.

The text of the Convention was developed by the most engaged IMO Member States, including the Russian Federation, whose delegation at the time included several specialists from Russian Maritime Register of Shipping.

Additional information:

Founded in 1913, Russian Maritime Register of Shipping (RS) is a world-renowned classification society that operates within all spheres of the of the maritime industry. The organization’s main objectives are to increase the safety standards of human life at sea, ensure the safe navigation of ships and the secure transportation of cargoes by sea and inland waterways, as well as to develop standards for environmental protection.

RS reviews technical documentation, surveys ships under construction and in service, issues documents and certificates for vessels, offshore facilities, ship machinery, equipment and devices; conducts measurements of ships and floating facilities; carries out surveys to ensure compliance with international conventions; certifies industrial products and manufacturers, quality management systems, sustainability management and occupational health and safety management systems in compliance with ISO standards.