Merchant Shipping (Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships) Regulation gazetted
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To give effect to the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships, 2009 (HKC), which was adopted in Hong Kong, China on May 15, 2009, at the Diplomatic Conference of the International Maritime Organization to ensure that ship recycling does not pose any unnecessary risk to human health, safety or the environment, the Ordinance was passed by the Legislative Council (LegCo) on May 22 this year, providing for the general empowering provisions that are necessary for the implementation of the HKC.
The proposed Regulation sets out the detailed requirements of the HKC. It provides for the safety standards relating to hazardous materials and ship recycling, worker protection and training requirements, and environmental protection measures for ships and ship recycling facilities in Hong Kong, with a view to addressing specific risks and concerns associated with the ship recycling operations.
A spokesman for the Transport and Logistics Bureau said, "The Regulation is for giving effect to the HKC. We aim to ensure that Hong Kong-registered ships and ship recycling facilities comply with the HKC requirements, thereby promoting sustainable development for ships at the end of their operating life and protecting workers and the environment in the context of ship recycling. We believe that both the shipping industry and the public will welcome the enactment of the Regulation."
The Panel on Economic Development of the LegCo and the Hong Kong Fleet Operation Advisory Committee have been consulted. Members supported the proposal.
The proposed Regulation will be tabled at the LegCo on September 10 for negative vetting.
Ends/Friday, September 5, 2025
Issued at HKT 11:00
Issued at HKT 11:00
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