Under the Hong Kong Convention, what must ships keep inventory of?

• A. Inventory of crew members
• B. Inventory of the substances in the ship's structure and equipment
• C. Inventory of fuel types
• D. Inventory of ballast water management systems

Answer: (B)

Under the Hong Kong Convention, ships must keep an Inventory of Hazardous Materials identifying the substances contained in the ship’s structure and equipment. This inventory is prepared to reveal what hazardous materials are present (for example, asbestos-containing insulation, PCBs, heavy metals, refrigerants, etc.) so that they can be safely managed, removed, and disposed of when the ship is recycled. It stays with the vessel and is updated as equipment or materials change, ensuring recyclers know exactly what to handle. This focus on hazardous materials in the ship’s structure and equipment is what distinguishes it from other types of inventories, such as those related to crew, fuel types, or ballast water management systems.