Which convention addresses the safe and environmentally sound recycling of ships?

• A. Basel Convention
• B. MARPOL Annex V
• C. The Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships
• D. The London Convention

Answer: (C)

This question tests knowledge of international rules that govern how ships are recycled at the end of their life to protect people and the environment. The Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships was designed specifically for this issue, setting global requirements to manage ship recycling in a safe and environmentally responsible way. It introduces practical controls such as maintaining an Inventory of Hazardous Materials on board, creating a Ship Recycling Plan, and ensuring that ships are only sent to approved facilities that meet safety and environmental standards. This makes it distinct from other conventions: the Basel Convention mainly governs hazardous waste movements and does not address the end-of-life recycling process for ships; MARPOL Annex V covers how ships handle garbage during operation, not the end-of-life recycling of the vessel; and the London Convention (and its Protocol) focuses on dumping wastes at sea rather than the on-shore recycling process.