Bangladesh is gearing up to revamp its ship recycling laws as part of efforts to meet international environmental and safety standards. Amendments to the existing legislation, focusing on ship recycling and hazardous waste management, were crafted under the International Maritime Organization's (IMO) SENSREC project. This initiative is pivotal for aligning the country’s shipbreaking industry with the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships, also known as the Hong Kong Convention (HKC).
During a high-profile workshop held on February 16, 2023, key stakeholders from both the government and the private sector convened in Dhaka to discuss these proposed changes. The aim is to not only bring local practices in line with the HKC but also to integrate the guiding principles of prominent international agreements such as the Basel, Rotterdam, and Stockholm Conventions.
Among the attendees were influential voices such as Mr. Sakhawat Hossain, Adviser to the Ministry of Shipping, and Mr. Rahman Khan, Adviser to the Ministry of Industries. Both expressed strong commitments to the development of Bangladesh’s ship recycling industry, emphasizing the urgent need to prioritize environmental performance and the safety of workers. Khan remarked, "We need to address environmental performance and worker safety," highlighting the dual challenges the sector faces.
Ms. Rizwana Hasan, Adviser to the Ministry of Environment, Forest, Climate Change and Water Resources, reinforced this perspective, advocating for greater monitoring of sustainability initiatives and advocating for harsher penalties for non-compliance with safety regulations. "Enhanced monitoring is necessary to prevent accidents and injuries to our workforce," she insisted.
The SENSREC project, supported by the Norwegian government's funding and represented by Norwegian Ambassador to Bangladesh, H.E. Håkon Arald Gulbrandsen, seeks to aid developing nations, including Bangladesh, in adhering to the HKC and promoting sustainable ship recycling practices. This approach is timely, with the HKC formally set to take effect on June 26, 2025, presenting both opportunities and challenges for the global shipping industry.
The impending HKC enforcement signifies a notable turn for sustainable ship recycling regulations. The NGO Shipbreaking Platform has raised alarms about the current state of ship recycling practices globally, stating, "Stricter regulations are urgent, as 80% of global tonnage is dismantled under substandard conditions." This statistic not only highlights the environmental and human rights risks associated with poor practices but also sets the stage for the HKC's standardized procedures aimed at mitigating these concerns.
With the HKC’s implementation, all ship recycling facilities located within HKC signatory states will be required to obtain authorization from their national authorities. This move is expected to bolster compliance efforts and raise the bar for industry standards. Nevertheless, stakeholders point out the possibility of stricter EU regulations, emphasizing the need for shipowners to collaborate with relevant parties to align their recycling strategies with accredited facility standards.
The proposed amendments are part of Bangladesh’s broader ambition to strengthen its shipbreaking industry, which has long been criticized for unsafe working conditions and environmental neglect. By aligning with international standards, Bangladesh hopes not only to improve its global image but also to safeguard its natural resources and protect the rights of its workforce.
Overall, there is commendable momentum behind the urgencies of these proposed amendments. Stakeholders are investing their efforts to encourage more sustainable practices within the ship recycling sphere, which is critically important for not just the environment but also the health and safety of the workers who engage directly with shipbreaking processes. The road to compliance may be long, but with the HKC's principles as guiding lights, Bangladesh can make significant strides toward responsible ship recycling.