Spain accedes to Hong Kong Convention on recycling, remains short of ratification

The convention covers aspects such as the design, construction, operation and maintenance of ships and their preparation for recycling, in order to facilitate a safe and environmentally sound process, without jeopardising the safety and operational efficiency of ships.

There 17 Contracting States to the Convention represent approximately 29.77% of the gross tonnage of the world's merchant shipping.  Spain is the latest state to join Belgium, Congo, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Ghana, India, Japan, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Panama, Serbia, and Turkey.

The convention, which was adopted in 2009, requires ratification by at least 15 states, and representing 40% of the world fleet by gross tonnage for it to come into force.

Víctor Jiménez Fernández, Counsellor for Transport, Alternate Permanent Representative of Spain to IMO, met IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim to deposit the instrument of accession.

Under this treaty, ships being sent for recycling must be required to maintain an inventory of potentially hazardous materials, which is specific to each unit. Recycling yards would be required to provide a Ship Recycling Plan specifying the manner in which each ship is to be recycled, based on its characteristics and inventory.

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