India is preparing to recycle nearly 16,000 ships over the next decade as part of a major expansion of its maritime recycling industry, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal said on Wednesday. The government has also committed around $8 billion to strengthen both shipbuilding and ship recycling capabilities in the country.
India-EU Cooperation on Green Ship Recycling
The announcement came alongside renewed cooperation between India and the European Union on sustainable ship recycling. Both sides reviewed ongoing efforts to bring Indian recycling yards under the European Union Ship Recycling Regulation (EUSRR).
During talks with EU Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy Jessika Roswall, Sonowal said expanding the number of internationally approved Indian recycling yards would support the global circular economy, create jobs, and promote environmentally responsible ship dismantling practices.
Progress on EU Compliance and Inspections
Officials from both sides assessed ongoing audits and compliance checks of Indian facilities seeking approval under EU rules. Roswall welcomed the progress and suggested forming a Joint Working Group involving India’s Ministry of Environment and other agencies to coordinate the next phase of implementation.
She also emphasized the need for unannounced inspections to ensure transparency, accountability, and high environmental standards. The matter will be further discussed with EU member states in the upcoming autumn session before a final decision is taken.
Roswall indicated her willingness to visit Indian ship recycling yards after the assessment process is completed. She also noted that the EU’s approach aligns with India-EU Free Trade Agreement discussions and the Hong Kong International Convention on ship recycling safety and environmental standards.
Strengthening Global Maritime Sustainability
According to the statement, recognition of Indian facilities under the EU framework would significantly enhance global recycling capacity, improve environmental and safety norms, and support more sustainable management of end-of-life ships. It would also make global maritime supply chains more resilient.
India’s Growing Role in Ship Recycling
India has strengthened its position in the global ship recycling market in recent years. As per UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) estimates, the country’s share rose from 30.1% in 2024 to 35.4% in 2025.
In 2025, India recycled 2.99 million gross tonnes of ships, a sharp rise of nearly 60% compared to 1.86 million GT in the previous year.
Government Push for Global Standards
Sonowal said the government is actively supporting Indian ship recycling yards in achieving global recognition through structured audits, inspections, and strict regulatory compliance. He added that Indian facilities have significantly upgraded infrastructure to meet international benchmarks.
These yards now feature environmental systems such as effluent treatment plants and scientific waste management processes. Worker welfare measures include multi-specialty healthcare facilities supported by the Red Cross Society and dedicated housing arrangements.
He further said that both scheduled and surprise inspections are regularly conducted to ensure environmental safety, worker protection, and transparency in operations.
