European and international shipowners have urged greater alignment between European and global ship recycling rules, stating that the entry into force of the Hong Kong Convention has transformed standards worldwide and should underpin a single framework, reported Singapore's Splash 247.

The European Shipowners (ECSA) and the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) jointly published a study comparing the EU Ship Recycling Regulation with the International Maritime Organization's Hong Kong Convention, which came into force on 26 June last year. The report found that the regimes are broadly aligned but highlighted existing gaps.

The study noted that more than 100 ship recycling facilities are now certified as compliant with the convention, including yards in India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Turkey, and China. Together, these facilities account for an annual recycling capacity of about 30 million gross tonnes, far exceeding current demand.

The report identified three areas for improvement: authorisation procedures for recycling facilities, downstream waste management standards, and the scope of the Inventory of Hazardous Materials required onboard ships.

ECSA Secretary General Sotiris Raptis called the convention's entry into force 'a major milestone' and urged Brussels to ease capacity constraints by allowing qualified non-OECD yards onto the EU-approved list.

ICS Principal Director of Marine Affairs John Stawpert stated that the study showed significant overlaps between the two systems but also identified 'three critical gaps' that should be addressed during the IMO review.

The report argued that greater convergence between EU and global regimes would reduce regulatory fragmentation and support the consistent implementation of recycling standards worldwide.