African nations prepare to implement IMO ship recycling Convention

Representatives from eight States in East and Southern Africa have agreed on several action points to support the implementation of the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships (HKC) across the region.

The HKC, which entered into force in June 2025, ensures that ships are recycled safely at the end of their service life, with minimum risk to human health or the environment.

A regional workshop on the ratification and implementation of the Hong Kong Convention, organised through the IMO Integrated Technical Cooperation Programme (ITCP), was held in Mombasa, Kenya (5-7 November 2025) to introduce the region to the international standards that govern ship recycling.

The event brought together 32 participants, including 14 women, reflecting growing regional commitment to gender inclusion in maritime policy and environmental governance.

Opened by the Director General of the Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA) Mr. Justus Omae Nyarandi, the workshop guided participating countries, in their capacity as Flag States or ship recycling regulators, on the requirements established within the context of the Hong Kong Convention.

Participants outlined plans to be carried out in their respective countries, including to:

• Perform preliminary analysis on the impact of the HKC
  
• Prepare advocacy and information briefs for national policy makers
• Identify and address capacity gaps that currently impede HKC ratification.

Participating countries included: Comoros, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, South Africa and Tanzania.

The course was facilitated by IMO staff and a consultant working on ship recycling in Bangladesh, a partner country under the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships (SENSREC) Project.

For more information: SENSREC - Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships