The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has stated that the aims of this convention are to ensure that when ships are recycled, they pose no unnecessary risk to human health and safety, or the environment 1 . To achieve this aim, both ship owners and ship recycling facilities will have actions to take for compliance. Application The Hong Kong Convention (HKC) applies to all ships 2 of 500 gt and above when flagged with, or visiting a port that is, a party to the convention. It also applies to all ship recycling facilities operating under the jurisdiction of a party to the convention. At the time of writing there are 24 contracting states, and the current list can be found here 3 . Ship Recycling Facility (SRF) For an SRF to meet the requirements of the convention they will have to obtain valid authorisation from a competent authority following survey. Authorisation will be demonstrated by having a valid “Document of Authorization to conduct Ship Recycling” (DASR), and this will have a maximum validity of 5 years. Shipowners The immediate requirements for shipowners after 26 June 2025 are: Completion and verification of the ‘Inventory of Hazardous Materials’ (Parts I, II, and III) along with an ‘International Ready for Recycling’ certificate, when the ship is to be recycled The need for applicable ships in operation to have an ‘Inventory of Hazardous Materials’ (Part I) and certification to show verification of the inventory in compliance with the Convention by the required dates, advised below. Inventory of Hazardous Materials (IHM) Ships that have been trading to countries where the European Union Ship Recycling Regulation (EU SRR) is in force will be familiar with the requirements for an IHM. While the HKC introduces a similar requirement to the EU SRR, it does not replace the EU SRR, and the formal verification and certification procedure for the HKC will still be required. The IHM is split into Parts I, II, and III, and the IMO have provided substantial gu