Hong Kong, 18 November 2025

From 09:30 to 12:30

From Waste to Wealth is an event focused on highlighting the transformative potential of the ship recycling industry in driving both sustainability and economic growth. Held during Hong Kong Maritime Week, the event will bring together global banking, investment, and maritime stakeholders to discuss the urgent need for robust investments that will enable ship recycling yards to meet international standards for safety, environmental protection, and workforce wellbeing.

The event will explain the rising global demand for ship recycling as fleets age and the International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships (Hong Kong Convention) has entered into force in June 2025. Organised by IMO, the event will showcase how investment is crucial for upgrading recycling infrastructure, especially in developing countries, so that more yards can achieve certification and operate sustainably – and achieve a level playing field across the world.

Participation is free of charge, but requires prior registration here: https://forms.office.com/e/hXWH4m4Ypv

Key themes will include:

• How will the upcoming entry into force of the HKC impact investment decisions and opportunities in developing countries?
• How can international cooperation and harmonized regulations contribute to creating a level playing field and boost investor confidence in the sector?
• What market mechanisms or incentives can be developed to increase the demand for “green steel” and other recycled materials from sustainably recycled ships, creating a stronger economic case for investment?
• How can transparency and traceability throughout the ship’s lifecycle enhance investor confidence and facilitate sustainable financing?
• Understanding the current landscape and investment needs:  What are the current financial flows and investment gaps in the ship recycling sector of developing countries, particularly in key countries such as Bangladesh and Pakistan? What is the specific infrastructure and/or technology that requires financial investment to transition to sustainable and compliant ship recycling?
• Identifying and unlocking investment opportunities: What returns can be leveraged from investment into the ship recycling sector? What innovative financial mechanisms can be used to attract private and public capital? What role can shipowners, class societies, central banks, IFIs and development banks play in de-risking investments and providing catalytic funding for sustainable ship recycling projects? How can public-private partnerships be structured to effectively share risks and rewards?
• Understand the linkages between investment and improved worker safety, community benefits and environment protection – drawing parallels with the experience in other industries.

The event will present opportunities to network and engage with executives and representatives from government and industry, and to explore new business opportunities or ventures.

Recommendations will be provided in relation to logistics for the event, hotel, and airport pickups, where necessary.

For more information contact sensrec@imo.org