Wirana Shipping, one of the leaders in ship purchasing, emphasized the necessity of greater focus on how to implement the standards of the Hong Kong Convention (HKC). The company warned that merely obtaining certification cannot guarantee ongoing safety and environmental responsibility in ship recycling.
Importance of Standards Implementation
This issue has gained more significance especially with the upcoming World Maritime Day 2026, which will focus on the theme "From Policy to Action: Strengthening the Maritime Advantage." As the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships comes into force, the transition from regulation to implementation has become a serious challenge.
This convention creates a global framework for responsibilities among ship owners, flag states, and recycling facilities. Recycling facilities must demonstrate that they have adequate infrastructure, training, and management systems in place and can carry out recycling according to their ship recycling facility plan. With the increasing number of certified facilities, attention to what happens after certification is essential.
Continuous Monitoring and Risk Management
Hitesh Vyas, Vice President of the Middle East and Green Recycling Coordinator at Wirana Shipping, stated: "The real test of any regulation depends on what happens in practice. A recycling facility may have the right procedures, training, and management systems, but these standards must be continuously implemented from day one of recycling until the complete dismantling of the ship.
Ship recycling is a complex operation, and risks may change as work progresses. Therefore, continuous monitoring, regular inspections, and strict adherence to agreed procedures are of utmost importance. The industry should not view certification as a one-time achievement; maintaining these standards every day is what ultimately protects workers and the environment.
Rakesh Kitan, CEO of Wirana Shipping, highlighted the importance of obtaining HKC certification, saying: "A lot of work has been done to obtain certification for recycling facilities, and this is an important step for the industry. However, obtaining certification is only part of the process; the real test is what happens afterward. Are the procedures being followed correctly? Are risks being managed during the ship dismantling? And are these standards maintained from one project to another?"
