Amendments to Bangladesh's ship recycling rules aim to bolster industry: IMO

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has announced the development of draft amendments to Bangladesh's ship recycling and hazardous waste management legislation.

These amendments aim to align the country's shipbreaking industry with international environmental standards and safety regulations, according to a press release.

The proposed changes were discussed during a workshop held on 16 February in Dhaka, where key government and private-sector stakeholders explored ways to bring Bangladesh's shipbreaking sector in line with the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships. Bangladesh ratified the convention in 2023.

Additionally, the workshop examined methods to integrate the sector with key provisions of the Basel, Rotterdam, and Stockholm conventions. 

This initiative is part of the IMO's Safe and Environmentally Sound Ship Recycling (SENSREC) project, funded by the Government of Norway, which aims to assist developing nations in implementing the Hong Kong Convention and fostering sustainable ship recycling practices.

Following the workshop, Bangladesh's Ministry of Industries is expected to compile insights and feedback into a draft proposal, which will then be circulated among relevant government branches for final review before submission for approval.

Regulatory push amid global ship recycling challenges

These regulatory efforts come at a critical time for the global ship recycling industry.

With thousands of vessels expected to be decommissioned by 2032, there is growing pressure to ensure shipbreaking practices comply with higher safety and environmental standards.

The enforcement of the Hong Kong Convention, set to take effect in June 2025, is expected to play a major role in this transition.

However, concerns persist regarding the convention's effectiveness in fully addressing hazardous conditions in some shipbreaking hubs.

A recent guidance paper by Norway-based classification society DNV highlights these challenges, particularly in South Asia, where shipbreaking has been linked to unsafe work environments and ecological hazards.

Bangladesh at the centre of scrutiny

Data from the Belgium-based NGO Shipbreaking Platform indicates that in 2023, 85% of the global end-of-life fleet was dismantled on beaches in Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan.

In early February 2025, the NGO reported that up to 80% of scrapped ships in 2024 were dismantled under substandard conditions in these regions.

According to the organisation, 409 ocean-going commercial vessels were sold to scrapyards in 2024.

Of these, 255 large tankers, bulk carriers, offshore platforms, cargo ships, and passenger vessels were dismantled on the beaches of Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan, accounting for more than 80% of the global gross tonnage scrapped. 

Bangladesh retained the top position, dismantling 130 ships in 2024, while India and Pakistan followed with 101 and 24 ships, respectively.

However, Bangladesh has frequently faced scrutiny due to repeated workplace accidents. One of the worst incidents in 2024 occurred at a shipyard operated by SN Corporation in Chattogram, where an oil tanker explosion killed six workers and left six others critically injured.

Investigations revealed severe negligence, disregard for safety protocols, and inadequate hazardous waste management.

SN Corporation, which held a Statement of Compliance with the Hong Kong Convention from Japanese classification society ClassNK, lost its environmental clearance in Bangladesh following the findings.

The NGO Shipbreaking Platform stressed that this incident was one of many underscoring the urgent need for stricter enforcement of safety regulations and enhanced oversight of certified yards.

As of February 2025, Bangladesh's shipbreaking industry has developed seven certified yards under the Hong Kong Convention. According to the Bangladesh Ship Breakers and Recyclers Association (BSBRA), 10 more yards are currently under review and inspection for certification.

While the draft amendments mark progress, their successful implementation and enforcement will be crucial in ensuring the long-term safety and sustainability of Bangladesh's shipbreaking industry.