In view of the entry into force on 26 June 2025 of the Convention on Safe and Compatible Ship Recycling the environment (Hong Kong Convention, of 27 June 2023) and the next meeting of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to be held from 18 to 22 March, the international shipowners' associations BIMCO and International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) and the governments of Bangladesh, India, Norway and Pakistan have asked the MEPC for clarifications and guarantees to ensure that shipowners and parts operating in the field of ship recycling have greater legal certainty. In particular, they requested that shipowners and parties operating in accordance with the Hong Kong Convention will not be sanctioned for violations of the Basel Convention on Movement Control of hazardous waste and its disposal, which requires the parties to ensure that the management and disposal of of this waste is carried out in accordance with specific methods and requirements in order to minimise the impact on the environment.

Pointing out that in some jurisdictions, the violation of the Basel Convention on Ship Recycling sanctions against shipowners and masters of vessels, and stressing that 'the ratification of the Hong Kong Convention marks the beginning of a new era for the recycling industry of ships', the Secretary-General and Chief Executive Officer of BIMCO, David Loosley, stressed the need to ensure that 'legal obstacles and conflicts between the two Conventions governing the safe and sound recycling of ships do not limit the scope of this historic opportunity."

In the document sent to the MEPC, the two shipowners' associations and The governments of the four nations have specified that one of the inconsistencies to be examined is related to waste Dangerous. In particular, it is explained that "once a ship has received an International Ready for Recycling Certificate (IRRC) under the Hong Kong Convention, may in the at the same time be considered hazardous waste within the meaning of the provisions of the Basel Convention. During the entire period validity of the IRRC (up to three months) - it should be noted - the ship, even while it is operational, could therefore risk be arrested for violating the requirements of the Convention on Basel. Therefore, it is of the utmost importance that respect for of the Hong Kong Convention does not entail sanctions under the Basel Convention'.

Recalling also that both the Hong Kong Convention and the Basel can be applied to ships that have come to an end of their lives, "this," it is emphasized, "could lead to the prosecution of shipowners even if, on the basis of the provisions of the Hong Kong Convention, have sent their safe and environmentally friendly recycling in a of the four major recycling nations, namely Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Turkey'. BIMCO, ICS, Bangladesh, India, Norway and Pakistan have pointed out that 'this This is not an acceptable situation after 25 June 2025."