February 3, 2025 | By Ananya Borgohain

Hong Kong Convention: Simplify Compliance (2025 Guide)

Everything you need to know about ensuring smooth compliance with IHM requirements in 2025.

The Hong Kong Convention marks a major step forward in the shipping industry’s efforts to enforce safe and sustainable ship recycling practices. As this global treaty comes into effect in 2025, shipowners and operators are required to meet stricter compliance requirements, particularly around maintaining an accurate Inventory of Hazardous Materials (IHM).

While compliance may seem complex, it is essential to ensuring smooth operations, protecting the environment, and upholding international safety standards. In this guide, we’ll break down what the Hong Kong Convention entails, why it matters, and how you can simplify IHM compliance to stay ahead of the curve.

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Why Does Compliance Matter?

Compliance with the Hong Kong Convention isn’t optional. In fact, it’s critical to your fleet’s operations and reputation. Failing to meet the requirements can result in fines, detentions, and operational setbacks, which can significantly impact profitability. Beyond the financial implications, non-compliance also exposes your crew, workers, and the environment to unnecessary risks.

IHM compliance, in particular, is pivotal. This document serves as the foundation for safe ship recycling by identifying hazardous materials such as asbestos, PCBs, and heavy metals. Without an accurate and up-to-date IHM, shipowners face regulatory scrutiny, delays during inspections, and rejection at recycling facilities.

Adhering to these standards demonstrates a commitment to sustainability and safety, earning the trust of regulators, stakeholders, and customers. Neglecting these responsibilities, however, can have far-reaching consequences:

Operational disruptions: Non-compliance can lead to detentions, missed deadlines, and delays at ports.
Financial impact: Heavy fines and penalties can drain resources and hinder growth.
Environmental harm: Improper handling of hazardous materials damages ecosystems and undermines sustainability goals.

Why Choose NautilusLog for Compliance?

Exploring the complexities of compliance requires the right tools, and NautilusLog is here to help. Our platform is designed to simplify IHM management, ensuring that your fleet is always prepared for inspections and aligned with the Hong Kong Convention.

What sets NautilusLog apart is our ability to integrate real-time data, automate updates, and provide proactive alerts. This enables shipowners to manage compliance effortlessly while focusing on core operations. Here’s how NautilusLog can support your compliance journey:

Real-time updates: Automate IHM updates to align with the latest regulatory requirements.
Proactive notifications: Receive alerts for inspections, deadlines, and necessary updates to stay ahead.
Sustainability tools: Promote environmentally sound practices with reliable and transparent documentation.

Preparing for 2025: Best Practices

Don't wait until 2025 to prepare your fleet. Get expert guidance on meeting Hong Kong Convention requirements today.

The 2025 deadline is approaching quickly, and shipowners must act now to ensure their fleets are compliant. Adopting the right strategies today can save significant time, money, and effort down the line. Here’s how to prepare effectively:

Start by conducting an IHM survey to assess your current compliance status and identify any gaps. From there, implement digital solutions to automate and streamline IHM management. Finally, maintain a proactive approach by scheduling regular updates and inspections to keep your IHM accurate and aligned with evolving requirements.

Conduct IHM surveys: Ensure certified inspections to establish a solid foundation for compliance.
Leverage digital tools: Use platforms like NautilusLog to manage and automate IHM updates
Schedule regular updates: Stay ahead of inspections and regulatory changes with ongoing maintenance.

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Future-Proof Your Fleet with NautilusLog

The Hong Kong Convention is more than just a regulatory milestone—it’s an opportunity to enhance safety, sustainability, and operational efficiency. With the right tools, shipowners can simplify compliance and position their fleets for long-term success.

NautilusLog offers the expertise and solutions you need to navigate this transition seamlessly. From real-time updates to automated alerts, our platform empowers you to meet regulatory demands while protecting your crew and the environment.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Start by conducting an initial IHM survey to establish your baseline. Implement a digital system for ongoing IHM maintenance and updates. Train your crew on compliance requirements and establish clear procedures for documenting material changes. Consider using specialized software like NautilusLog to automate and streamline the compliance process.

The Hong Kong Convention comes into effect in June 2025. It applies to all vessels over 500 GT engaged in international voyages, regardless of flag state. This includes cargo ships, passenger vessels, and offshore units.

Vessels must maintain an updated Inventory of Hazardous Materials (IHM) that documents all hazardous materials onboard. This includes initial certification, regular updates during operations, and maintenance throughout the vessel's lifecycle. The IHM must be verified by authorized organizations and available for port state inspections.

Non-compliant vessels may face port detentions, operational delays, financial penalties, and potential rejection from ship recycling facilities. Port State Control authorities can deny port entry or require immediate corrective actions, leading to costly disruptions in operations.