The shipping industry risks being caught off guard next year when vessels will need to have an inventory of all hazardous materials onboard.

That was the message from panellists representing a cross-section of shipping at the TradeWinds Ship Recycling Forum held in Hong Kong on Tuesday.

They were warning of the effects of new rules entering into force under the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships and from the European Union.