Pakistan doubles HKC-certified ship recycling yards as ClassNK approves second facility

PAKISTAN – ClassNK has certified Salam’s International as Pakistan’s first facility to receive its stamp of approval under the Hong Kong Convention, marking the country’s second HKC-compliant ship recycling yard and doubling certified capacity in the region.

The Tokyo-based classification society evaluated the Gadani-based facility and found its infrastructure and management systems aligned with the 2009 Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships.

Following the certification, Pakistan’s competent authority is expected to issue the Document of Authorization, the official permit allowing Salam’s International to conduct recycling operations under the treaty’s rigorous standards.

A Rapid Rise in Compliant Capacity

Pakistan acceded to the Hong Kong Convention in November 2023, triggering a race among local recyclers to upgrade operations.

Prime Green Recycling Yard became the country’s first HKC-certified facility in January 2026, a milestone Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Junaid Anwar Chaudhry described as a “historic achievement” and “a golden chapter” in Pakistan’s maritime history.

Now, just two months later, Salam’s International has joined the ranks.

TradeWinds reports that this certification effectively doubles the number of Hong Kong Convention-compliant yards operating at Gadani, one of the world’s largest shipbreaking hubs.

80 Facilities and Counting

ClassNK has been certifying ship recycling facilities since 2012, well ahead of the Convention’s entry into force.

To date, the society has approved approximately 80 facilities, primarily concentrated in India and Bangladesh.

The addition of Salam’s International expands the network of compliant recyclers and gives shipowners more options when their vessels reach end-of-life.

What the Hong Kong Convention Requires

The Hong Kong Convention sets global standards for safe and environmentally sound ship recycling. Facilities must implement hazardous materials management plans, protect worker safety, and ensure proper waste disposal.

For yards like Salam’s International, achieving compliance meant undertaking significant improvements to both physical infrastructure and operational protocols.

Why This Matters for Recycling

The global ship recycling industry handles approximately 1,000 large end-of-life vessels annually, according to NGO Shipbreaking Platform data cited in industry reports.

These ships contain thousands of tonnes of steel, along with hazardous materials including asbestos, heavy metals, and oil residues that must be managed carefully.

Pakistan’s Gadani yard once ranked among the world’s largest recycling destinations, though activity has fluctuated in recent years.

With two facilities now HKC-compliant, the country signals its intent to reclaim relevance in the sustainable recycling market.

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