WIREDGOV

On 30 October the Permanent Representatives Committee (COREPER I) has found an agreement on a compromise text for a Council decision supporting the ratification of the Hong Kong Convention – the Proposal for a Council Decision concerning the ratification of or the accession to the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound recycling of ships, 2009, in the interests of the European Union.

The Chair of the Committee ambassador Arūnas Vinčiūnas said: “I think that we all can say that this Convention is of utmost importance in the fight against current substandard practices in the field of ship recycling. This point of view has been held up high by all participants during  negotiations on the ship recycling Regulation that implements this Convention at Union level, but also by Member States during the discussions on the proposed decision on ratification that is now on our table. Support to the Hong Kong Convention will give a strong signal towards rapid ratification of this instrument.”

The Hong Kong Convention for the Safe and Sound Recycling of Ships (Hong Kong Convention) was adopted in May 2009. It needs to be ratified by a sufficient number of both large flag and recycling states in order to enter into force and start producing effects.