EU agrees to ratify Convention for safe ship recycling

According to the council decision, EU member states shall take the necessary measures to ratify or accede to the Hong Kong convention without delay and within a certain time limit.

The European Parliament had previously adopted at its plenary sitting in Strasbourg a legislative resolution on a new Ship Recycling Regulation by a large majority of the votes. The adopted text is the result of a compromise agreement reached last June in Trilogue between Council under the Irish Presidency, Parliament and Commission.

The Hong Kong Convention for the Safe and Sound Recycling of Ships was adopted in May 2009. To enter into force it needs to be ratified by a sufficient number of both flag and recycling states.