The Push for Change: Aligning with International Conventions
Bangladesh is setting sail toward a greener, safer future for its shipbreaking industry. Draft amendments to the nation’s ship recycling and hazardous waste management laws are in the works, aiming to bring the sector in line with global environmental and safety standards. These changes, developed under the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Safe and Environmentally Sound Ship Recycling (SENSREC) project, are part of a broader effort to align with the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships.
The proposed amendments were unveiled during a high-stakes workshop in Dhaka in February 2025, where government officials and private sector leaders brainstormed ways to overhaul the industry. The goal? To ensure compliance not only with the Hong Kong Convention but also with key provisions of the Basel, Rotterdam, and Stockholm conventions.
A Global Challenge: The Dark Side of Shipbreaking
The stakes couldn’t be higher. With thousands of ships expected to reach the end of their operational lives by 2032, the global shipbreaking industry is under immense pressure to clean up its act. Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan dominate the market, collectively handling 85% of the world’s end-of-life fleet in 2023, according to the NGO Shipbreaking Platform. But this dominance comes at a cost.
In 2024, a staggering 80% of scrapped ships were dismantled under substandard conditions in these regions, often on beaches where unsafe practices and environmental hazards are rampant. Bangladesh, in particular, has faced scrutiny for its shipbreaking yards, where accidents and fatalities are tragically common. A tanker explosion in Chattogram in September 2024, which claimed six lives and injured six others, underscored the urgent need for reform.
The Road Ahead: Can Bangladesh Lead the Way?
The IMO’s SENSREC project, funded by the Norwegian government, is a beacon of hope. Its mission is to support developing countries in implementing the Hong Kong Convention and fostering sustainable ship recycling practices. The Dhaka workshop’s findings are now being compiled into a draft proposal by Bangladesh’s Ministry of Industries, which will be circulated for feedback before final approval.
But challenges remain. While the Hong Kong Convention, enforced in June 2025, is a step in the right direction, critics argue it may not go far enough to address the systemic issues plaguing the industry. A recent guidance paper from DNV, a Norway-based classification society, highlights the convention’s potential but also points to persistent gaps in enforcement and oversight.
Bangladesh’s efforts to reform its shipbreaking sector are a critical test case for the global industry. If successful, the country could set a new standard for sustainable ship recycling—proving that economic growth and environmental responsibility can go hand in hand.
