The Inventory of Hazardous Materials (IHM) was introduced in the 2009 Hong Kong Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships. All ships weighing over 500GT will be required to carry the Inventory of Hazardous Materials.
The purpose of an IHM survey is to provide ship owners, managing agents, crews, engineers and workers with a management report of all the hazardous materials, which are on-board the vessel. The Regulation first prohibits or restricts the installation and use of hazardous materials, such as asbestos or ozone-depleting substances on board ships.
While the Hong Kong Convention was adopted in 2009 to ensure safe and environmentally friendly ship recycling of ships that have reached the end of their operating lives. Upon entry into force, the Hong Kong Convention will require new ships and existing ships of 500 GT and above, no later than 5 years after the entry into force of the Convention, or before going for recycling, to have onboard a valid International Certificate of Compliance (IHM). Such surveys have to be performed by the Administration or ROs. A Statement of Compliance on IHM shall be issued either by an authorized RO after successful completion of an initial or renewal survey conducted.
Upon entry into force of the Hong Kong Convention, the Statement of Compliance may be replaced with an International Certificate on IHM without additional onboard surveys, provided the IHM has been maintained and updated as required.
New European ships and EU-flagged ships going for dismantling must also have on board an IHM verified by the relevant administration or authority and specifying the location and approximate quantities of those materials. This obligation will also apply from 31 December 2020 to all existing ships sailing under the flag of Member States of the Union as well as to ships flying the flag of a third country and calling at an EU port or anchorage.