Shipbroking giant SSY has announced its entry into the ship recycling market, a move that aligns with upcoming regulatory changes and growing industry demand for sustainable vessel disposal practices.
The firm’s latest strategic expansion will be spearheaded by Harry Conrad-Pickles, a veteran ship recycling broker based in Dubai, who officially joins the company on April 10, 2025. With over two decades at Braemar, where he led its ship recycling division, Conrad-Pickles brings a wealth of knowledge and a strong track record that places him among the industry’s most seasoned professionals.
His arrival comes as the industry prepares for the enforcement of the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships, scheduled to take effect in June 2025. This shift in the regulatory landscape is expected to reshape how vessel owners handle end-of-life ships, pushing the market towards greater environmental compliance and transparency.
Conrad-Pickles expressed enthusiasm about the new role, stating, “I am delighted to join SSY as the new Head of Ship Recycling and excited to expand this division within a broking house that is committed to excellence across every sector. The recycling market is poised to enter a crucial and consequential period, and I’m eager to join SSY and take a proactive role in driving positive change in partnership with the firm’s outstanding global team.”
The decision by SSY to venture into this segment isn’t just about broadening services. With an estimated 15,000 vessels expected to be recycled globally over the next decade, the demand for responsible dismantling, particularly in compliance with international safety and environmental protocols, has become unavoidable.
Stanko Jekov, Managing Partner at SSY, commented, “The recycling market is an area that we’ve been keen to enter for some time and by offering this service we can now help our clients through the myriad of complexities that come with efficient and safe ship recycling. This of course requires real and proven market expertise which Harry has in abundance and I am both delighted and excited to welcome him to the firm.”
For a company already known for its depth in dry cargo, tanker, sale and purchase, and offshore broking, stepping into recycling shows intent. It’s not about following trends—it’s about staying relevant in a sector that’s undergoing structural change. The addition of recycling capabilities will allow SSY to offer a full lifecycle solution to its clients—from newbuilding to demolition.
