IMO-Hong Kong Convention holds its meeting in Karachi
In another first by the Ministry of Maritime Affairs, a seminar of the Hong Kong Convention for safe and environmentally sound recycling of ships is being held in Karachi at PC Hotel from 11th-13th of December 2019.
The Seminar is a collaborative effort of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the Ministry of Maritime Affairs (MoMA).
The Seminar is conducted by IMO consultants, Ms. Gudrun Janssens, and Mr. Fan Yunzhi, and is well attended by the relevant stakeholders. Directorate General Ports and Shipping under MoMA, Ministry of Climate Change, Commerce, FBR, Port authorities, PNSC, Ship Breakers Association, Gaddani Labor Representatives, and relevant departments from the Government of Balochistan are participating.
Although Pakistan has been ranked as the 4th largest ship breaking country in the world but is not yet a signatory to the Hong Kong Convention.
The Seminar, therefore, aims at creating awareness about the Convention among the local stakeholders and to build the capacity of public & private organizations dealing with the Ship Breaking Industry. IMO & MoMA are working towards harmonizing the national laws in line with the Hong Kong Convention.
Becoming a signatory of the convention will re-boost the ship breaking industry of Pakistan by increasing employment, assuring the safety of the workforce & protection from environmental hazards.
In all, 16 countries have ratified the convention. The Convention will come into force in Pakistan once the prescribed criteria are met.