With the Hong Kong Convention (HKC) coming into effect on June 26, 2025, the clock is ticking for shipowners who need to ensure compliance with regulatory controls and inspections concerning the recycling of their end-of-life vessels, Norway-based classification society DNV has stressed.

In its new guidance paper “Safe and Green Recycling for Ship Owners” , DNV highlighted that the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships (HKC) is a ‘big’ step toward safer and more sustainable shipping practices, particularly with the fact that thousands of vessels are scheduled to be recycled by 2032.