Green ship recycling to begin by June'26
The government is set to make 31 shipbreaking plots operational at Gadani by June 2026 in an effort to kick-start green recycling in compliance with the Hong Kong Convention.
The adherence to the convention will enable Pakistan to get shipbreaking orders from different countries.
Stretching across 10 kilometres of the coastline with around 135 designated plots, Gadani is undergoing a major transition. Eleven yards are now nearing completion for eco-friendly operations, while an additional 20 are set to begin green recycling by June 2026.
The Hong Kong Convention, which became legally binding on June 26, 2025, requires all nations to adopt safe ship recycling methods that minimise hazardous waste and reduce environmental harm.
Under the convention requirements, all ships of over 500 gross tonnage must carry an International Certificate on Inventory of Hazardous Materials before recycling to ensure that toxic substances are properly managed. This mandate, effective globally by 2030, is expected to significantly cut the environmental risks traditionally associated with shipbreaking.
Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry has reaffirmed the government's commitment to aligning the shipbreaking industry with the Hong Kong Convention while stressing the importance of tackling climate change through safe and eco-friendly recycling practices.
Chairing a review meeting on compliance with the convention, the federal minister highlighted that the Gadani shipbreaking yard, ranked the world's third-largest, must transform into a hub for sustainable recycling. He issued instructions to the ports and shipping administration to issue the first green yard certificate within one week.
Junaid Anwar pointed out that full compliance was not only a legal obligation but also part of the responsibility to fight climate change by lowering carbon footprints, curbing pollution and promoting a circular economy.
"Green ship recycling is central to both environmental protection and sustainable economic growth," he said and called for closer collaboration with the Balochistan government to turn Gadani into a global model for climate-conscious dismantling of vessels.