GMS Podcasts

Bangladesh’s HKC Implementation: In Conversation with the Director General of BSRB

In this special episode of the GMS Podcast, we speak with ASM Shafiul Alam Talukder, Director General of the Bangladesh Ship Recycling Board (BSRB). In this podcast, Mr. Talukder offers valuable insight into how Bangladesh is implementing the Hong Kong Convention (HKC) following its entry into force on June 26, 2025.

Dr. Anand Hiremath, CEO of the Sustainable Ship and Offshore Recycling Program (SSORP), hosts this conversation focused on regulatory progress and industry readiness in one of the world’s largest ship recycling hubs.

Key points discussed in this episode include:

• The current status of HKC implementation in Bangladesh

• Inventory of Hazardous Materials (IHM) requirements and enforcement mechanisms

• Rollout of DASR (Document of Authorization to conduct Ship Recycling) and the approval process

• Introduction of a proposed One-Window System for all ship recycling clearances

• Coordination with the Ministry of Industries, Department of Environment, Customs, and other stakeholders

• The roadmap to achieving more than 100 HKC-compliant yards by 2030

• Improvements in hazardous waste infrastructure and TSDF (Treatment, Storage and Disposal Facility) setup

• Health, safety, training, and insurance initiatives for workers

• The role of international support from IMO, JICA, and the Government of Norway

• Regional alignment and knowledge sharing with India, Pakistan, and Turkey

This episode highlights Bangladesh’s efforts to align ship recycling regulations with global standards while enhancing environmental performance and worker safety.

As one of the most significant recycling destinations globally, Bangladesh’s progress is key to the Convention’s success. This episode documents a vital step in making responsible and transparent ship recycling a global norm.

 

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GMS Weekly – Week 31 Recap: Tariff Tensions, LNG Arrivals in India, and Pakistan Leads Pricing

In this Week 31 edition of the GMS Weekly Podcast, we examine the latest market shifts as global tariffs ripple through recycling sentiment. India stays active with steady arrivals of high-value tankers and LNGs. Pakistan leads on pricing and continues to secure dry tonnage. Bangladesh remains quiet, grappling with steel backlogs and regulatory hurdles. Turkey sees no change, with a soft Lira and minimal port activity.

We also track HKC procedural clarity, regional delivery updates, and what market participants can expect through August.

 

We cover:

• India’s Activity: Tankers and LNGs continue arriving at Alang. Despite currency pressure, HKC-certified infrastructure and strong non-ferrous demand keep India in focus.

• Pakistan Leads: Firm pricing and consistent steel fundamentals support new arrivals. The Rupee strengthens and provisional DASR yard upgrades add momentum.

• Bangladesh Slows: Minimal activity at the waterfront. Yard readiness remains mixed, and monsoon delays continue to affect operations.

• Turkey Stalls: The Lira weakens again. No new arrivals or sales reported.

 

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How SSORP turns HKC Compliance into Action: Insights from India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan

In Episode 6 of the GMS Hong Kong Convention Podcast Series, Ingrid and Henning examine how the Sustainable Ship and Offshore Recycling Program (SSORP) is helping shipowners and ship recycling yards meet regulatory and ESG expectations under the Hong Kong Convention.

This episode explains how SSORP provides a full-cycle approach, from Inventory of Hazardous Materials (IHM) preparation to post-recycling documentation. It also highlights the program’s role in supporting yards across India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan, and the real-world systems that have been developed for compliance, supervision, and transparency.

Key discussion points include:

• The SSORP process, from vessel planning to final reporting

• How SSORP has provided technical assistance to yards seeking Hong Kong Convention Statements of Compliance

• Free safety awareness sessions conducted for over 10,000 yard workers in South Asia

• The importance of trained, on-site supervisors for monitoring dismantling and safety

• SSORP’s role in enabling the issuance of the first International Ready for Recycling Certificate (IRRC) under the new HKC regime

• How owners can meet ESG and investor requirements using verified, structured data from SSORP activities

This conversation is relevant to shipowners, compliance officers, financial institutions, and regulatory stakeholders navigating end-of-life vessel recycling in South Asia.

 

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GMS Weekly – Week 30 Recap: LNG Momentum in India, Steady Moves in Pakistan, and Challenges in Bangladesh

In this Week 30 edition of the GMS Weekly Podcast, we cover the latest updates in global ship recycling. India takes the lead with a series of large LNG vessel deals, strong yard occupancy, and improving fundamentals. Pakistan continues to secure tonnage, while Bangladesh faces slow approvals and reduced yard activity.

We explore regional shifts, currency fluctuations, delivery timelines, and the broader impact of the Hong Kong Convention on subcontinent recyclers.

We cover:

• India’s Momentum: Two Moss-type LNGs sold for over USD 640 per LDT. Alang receives over 107,000 LDT in one week, driven by non-ferrous-rich tonnage.

• Pakistan Holds Position: Gadani sees en bloc dry bulk acquisitions with bunkers onboard. Local steel prices remain high, and the Rupee shows modest recovery.

• Bangladesh Slows Down: No new arrivals reported. Delays in cutting permissions and weak domestic demand continue to affect sentiment.

• Turkey Remains Quiet: The Lira weakens further. No vessel arrivals, despite falling interest rates and slight economic easing.

Also in this episode:

• Freight market outlook as the Baltic Dry Index shows further gains

• How currency movements are shaping buyer behavior

• What to expect in August as HKC compliance increases across yards

 

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Hong Kong Convention Series | Episode 5 | Compliance Maze – HKC vs. Basel vs. EU SRR

In Episode 5 of the GMS Hong Kong Convention Podcast Series, Ingrid and Henning unpack the confusion that persists, even after the Hong Kong Convention (HKC) has entered into force.

With overlapping rules from Basel, EUSRR, and flag states, many shipowners are still asking: Can I recycle this vessel safely, without facing legal or regulatory fallout?

Drawing from the GMS HKC Webinar Series, this episode features insights from Sveinung Oftedal, Nikos Mikelis, Anaëlle Boudry, and George Novak, who highlight the regulatory tension, legal risks, and practical workarounds for responsible shipowners.

Learn what really works and what to watch out for when navigating the global compliance maze.

Key Topics Covered:

• Why HKC isn’t enough on its own

• How Basel Convention and EU SRR create overlapping controls

• The role of flag states, port states, and OECD departure points

• What Article 11 means and why harmonization still lags

• How HKC-aligned ship recyclers are being penalized despite compliance

• What shipowners must document to stay legally protected

 

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GMS Weekly – Week 29 Recap: Slowdown Surprise, LNG Action, and Pakistan Pushes Ahead

In this episode of GMS Weekly, hosts Henning and Ingrid chart another week of volatility in global ship recycling. From rising inflation to stalled tonnage flows, the sector continues to navigate unpredictable waters under pressure from geopolitics, monsoons, and evolving HKC regulations.

We cover:

• Global Headwinds: Inflation ticks up, oil slides, and the Baltic Dry Index hits a 10-month high

• Regional Shake-Up: Pakistan leads pricing tables with new bulkers incoming; India holds firm with 100+ certified yards and fresh LNG tonnage; Bangladesh shows activity but struggles with documentation delays

• Turkey’s Retreat: The Lira freefalls past 40.40 while Aliaga ends the week empty-handed

Also in focus:

• Impact of Red Sea disruptions on container recycling

• Ongoing tariff threats and how they’re reshaping trading behavior

• Delivery delays and buyer sentiment shifts under HKC compliance hurdles

 

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Hong Kong Convention Series | Episode 4 | ESG Advantage - Turning Compliance Into Capital

In Episode 4 of the GMS Hong Kong Convention Series, Ingrid and Henning move the focus from yard-level transformation to strategic impact. The central question: Can compliance with the Hong Kong Convention unlock capital, reduce risk, and create real commercial value?

This episode explains how ESG-aligned recycling, supported by frameworks like the Sustainable Ship and Offshore Recycling Program (SSORP), is reshaping how the industry defines success. With practical insights from shipowners, flag states, and financial institutions, listeners will understand how transparency, traceability, and verified metrics are now essential in maritime decision-making.

This conversation is relevant for shipowners preparing for green financing, insurers assessing risk, or regulators tracking how ESG moves from reporting to real-world implementation.

 

Key Points:

• ESG expectations in ship recycling and why they matter now

• How HKC compliance improves access to financing and insurance

• The role of SSORP in supporting audit-ready and verifiable reporting

• What stakeholders like flags and banks expect from shipowners today

• How data-driven ESG reporting can provide a competitive edge

 

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GMS Weekly - Week 28 Recap: Summer Sufferance, Price Pressures, and Pakistan Reemerges

In this episode of GMS Weekly, hosts Henning and Ingrid unpack the shifting tides in global ship recycling for Week 28. As monsoon markets drag and Trump’s tariff rhetoric escalates, volatility continues to plague the sector.

We cover:

• Rising macroeconomic tensions: Tariff threats on Bangladesh to Brazil, Turkish Lira cracks 40, and steel prices climb across the board

• Subcontinent dynamics: India stays steady with over 100 HKC-compliant yards and strong tonnage flow; Bangladesh hits sub-USD 400/LDT lows amid regulatory confusion; Pakistan books new tonnage with interim HKC certs

• A rare win for Turkey: Despite currency collapse, Aliaga concludes a general cargo vessel sale

Stay ahead with our insight into:

• Market pricing trends and sentiment shifts

• Regulatory adaptation under HKC

• Strategic options for owners and cash buyers

Subscribe to GMS Weekly for complete demo pricing, port-by-port vessel positions, and tonnage intelligence: https://www.gmsinc.net/get-in-touch?#SubscribeToGMS

 

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Hong Kong Convention Series | Episode 3 – Recycling Yards & the HKC: Upgrades, Opportunity, and a Stronger Value Chain

In this third episode of the GMS Hong Kong Convention Series, Ingrid and Henning focus on the critical role of recycling yards under the Hong Kong Convention, which came into force on 26 June 2025.

Listeners will hear how yards across India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Türkiye are transforming, with hundreds now HKC-certified or actively upgrading to meet international standards. This episode explains how yard-level improvements, supported by Ship Recycling Facility Plans and third-party audits, contribute to global ESG goals and build trust across the maritime value chain.

The episode also highlights GMS’s Sustainable Ship and Offshore Recycling Program (SSORP), which supports recycling yards and shipowners alike through training, documentation, and carbon reporting, with verification by LRQA.

For shipowners, financiers, insurers, and regulators, HKC-ready yards offer more than compliance; they reduce risk, protect investments, and enhance transparency.

Key points:

• Yard-level progress and capacity growth in key recycling countries

• Why HKC-compliant yards benefit owners, financiers, and insurers

• How SSORP supports ground-level implementation and ESG audits

• Real-world impact of cultural change, training, and certification

GMS Weekly - Week 27 Recap: HKC In Force, Tonnage Tight, and India Leads

In this episode of GMS Weekly, hosts Henning, Ryan, Grace, and Ingrid break down the major market movements in global ship recycling for Week 27 (July 4, 2025). With the Hong Kong Convention now officially in force, South Asia's ship recycling landscape is shifting fast. India holds steady with over 100 HKC-compliant yards, while Bangladesh and Pakistan scramble to upgrade amid declining prices and tighter tonnage supply.

We cover:

• Macroeconomic pressures: oil at USD 66.5/barrel, inflation woes, and a falling Baltic Exchange.

• Subcontinent sentiment: India's predictability, Bangladesh's sub-USD 400/LDT offers, and Pakistan's early upgrade efforts.

• Turkey’s ongoing regulatory red tape and a fire incident dampening its yard activity.

Stay ahead with our analysis of:

• Regional pricing trends

• Compliance dynamics under HKC

• Where to position your vessels next

Subscribe to GMS Weekly for complete demo pricing, port-by-port breakdowns, and vessel intelligence: https://www.gmsinc.net/get-in-touch?#SubscribeToGMS

 

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