BIMCO Roundtable on Ship Recycling

Ship recycling is the most environmentally sound manner to treat of ships at the end of their commercial lives. Additionally, recycling presents an opportunity to contribute to the circular economy through the supply of large quantities of scrap metal to the steel and iron industries – reducing the need to produce primary metals 

This opportunity comes with some challenges. Ships being recycled should not pose any unnecessary risk to human health and safety nor to the environment. The international framework to best assure that these challenges can be met has some complexity. The Hong Kong Convention (HKC) is not yet ratified, the European list of approved ship recycling facilities needs to be fit for recycling of ships engaged in deep sea shipping and there are potential conflicts of law between the HKC and the Basel Convention. Nonetheless, the challenges are not insurmountable and consolidated and collaborative action can move things forward.  

This roundtable will examine the state of play of international ship recycling in the context of current legal frameworks. Participants will discuss the interplay between the race to decarbonise and assuring environmental protection as well as the safety, health and wellbeing of those working in recycling facilities and to ask, “where next for ship recycling?” 

Early expressions of interest in the roundtable should be sent to Dr Bev Mackenzie, Head of Intergovernmental Engagement bm@bimco.org with online registration opening towards the middle of 2023.