Pakistani shipbreaking firm Prime Green Recyclers has brought into operation a ship recycling facility in Gadani certified under the Hong Kong International Convention (HKC), marking a first for Pakistan. Founded in 2000 as Prime Ship Breakers and later rebranded, the company is the country’s first facility to achieve full HKC compliance.
The yard was inaugurated by Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs, Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, who described the project as a milestone toward safer and more environmentally responsible practices in an industry long criticized for hazardous working conditions. Adopted under the International Maritime Organization, the HKC sets global standards covering hazardous materials, worker safety, and waste management.
Shipbreaking remains a key industry in Gadani, once among the world’s largest recycling hubs and a major source of scrap for domestic rolling mills. After years of decline due to competition from India and Bangladesh and ongoing safety concerns, Pakistan’s ratification of the HKC in December 2023 is driving a shift toward compliant, structured recycling aimed at attracting international shipowners seeking sustainable dismantling solutions.
