Portugal has approved, for accession, through Decree n.º 4/2023, of February 13, the Hong Kong International Convention on the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships (Hong Kong Convention), adopted on 15 May 2009 under the auspices of the International Maritime Organization (IMO). The Hong Kong Convention will enter into force only 24 months after the date of ratification by at least 15 states representing a combined merchant fleet of at least 40 per cent of the gross tonnage of the world’s merchant shipping and whose combined maximum annual ship recycling volume during the preceding 10 years constitutes not less than three per cent of the gross tonnage of the combined merchant shipping of the same states.

This Convention covers the design, the construction, the operation and the preparation of ships with a view to facilitating safe and environmentally sound recycling without compromising ship safety and operational efficiency. It also covers the operation of ship recycling facilities in a safe and environmentally sound manner, and the establishment of an appropriate enforcement mechanism for ship recycling, and provides explicitly for its Parties to take more stringent measures consistent with international law, with respect to the safe and environmentally sound recycling of ships, in order to prevent, reduce or minimise any adverse effects on human health and the environment.

With Portugal's ratification, the number of Contracting States rises to 20.

It is recalled that ship recycling is also regulated by Regulation (EU) No. 1257/2013, whose execution in the national legal order, is ensured by Decree-Law No. 66/2020, of 14 September, defining DGRM as the competent entity to ensure compliance with the provisions of these diplomas.