KARACHI: Pakistan ship recycling has entered a new phase as the country operationalises its first facility certified under the Hong Kong International Convention, aligning the industry with international environmental and worker safety standards.

The award has been conferred on Prime Green Recycling Yard. This is the first ship recycling facility to meet the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships in the whole of the country. In fact, the Hong Kong International Convention had been adopted under the aegis of the International Maritime Organization.

This move finally brings Pakistan’s ship recycling industry a step closer to conformity with world standards in respect of environmental protection, dealing with hazardous wastes, and labor practices, where it has long been in disrepute. Industry experts believe Pakistan ship recycling could regain international competitiveness as more yards move toward HKC compliance.

Speaking at the site, Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry said the HKC certification aligns Pakistan’s ship recycling framework with IMO standards, particularly in the management of hazardous materials, waste disposal systems, and occupational health and safety measures.

Related: Karachi Port Launches Standardised Bunkering Operations for the First Time

However, although it is so important to the country’s economy, the industry has struggled with aged infrastructure, patchy regulatory compliance, and a roll-call of safety incidents. With global shipping lines becoming increasingly wedded to rigorous environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles, they are forced to take their ships to other locations, which are HKC-compliant.

It is believed by the officials that the PM Green certification fills this gap, as it has resulted in the restoration of confidence among the international shipping lines, and now Pakistan is ready to regain the elite part of the vessel recycling industry.

In a statement by the Ministry of Maritime Affairs, the Pakistani government’s plan for the Gadani Ship Recycling Zone does not only target the mentioned reforms. The overall strategy aims to develop the zone.

Worker safety has been cited as one of the main components of these reforms. Improved worker safety procedures, training, and monitoring are expected to be introduced gradually in the sector.

Minister Chaudhry stated that the government is fully cooperating with the industry players, including the Pakistan Ship Breakers Association. He reiterated that coordination between the government and the private sector will be required for further shipyards to receive HKC Certification.

Expansion in the use of HKC standards might open up an opportunity for Pakistan to regain its position in the international ship recycling industry, creating thousands of employment opportunities and ensuring improved compliance with environment and labor standards.

Officials say the Prime Green Recycling Yard certification is intended to serve as a model for future upgrades across Gadani, with the long-term objective of positioning Pakistan as a competitive and responsible ship recycling destination in the region.He further added that Pakistan ship recycling is being modernised to meet global environmental, safety and compliance benchmarks under the IMO framework. With HKC certification now in place, Pakistan ship recycling could regain access to higher-value international shipbreaking contracts.