Ř
India
consolidates global leadership in sustainable ship recycling with 35.4% global market
share: Sarbananda Sonowal
Ř
India
Commits $8 Billion to Strengthen Shipbuilding and Recycling Ecosystem; EU Eyes Closer
Regulatory Cooperation Through Joint Working Group
Ř
India
under PM Narendra Modi ji aims at recycling 16,000 ships with an $8 billion investment
in shipbuilding & ship recycling: Sarbananda Sonowal
·
India
and the European Union (EU)
reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation in sustainable ship recycling.
·
Discussions
were held between Sarbananda
Sonowal and Jessika
Roswall.
·
Both
sides reviewed progress on the audit
and compliance process for recognising Indian ship recycling
facilities under the European
Union Ship Recycling Regulation (EUSRR).
·
More
than 30 Indian ship
recycling yards have applied for EU recognition.
·
Six
Indian yards are
currently undergoing the EU compliance and approval process.
·
Three
ship recycling facilities
have successfully completed all compliance requirements and are now eligible to
apply for inclusion under the EUSRR framework.
·
India
has emerged as the world's
leading ship recycling nation, supported by reforms and
investments in sustainable recycling practices.
·
According
to UNCTAD,
India's share of global ship recycling increased from 30.1% in 2024 to 35.4% in 2025.
·
India
recycled 2.99 million
gross tons (GT) of ships in 2025, representing nearly 60% growth over 1.86 million GT recycled
in 2024.
·
The
Government of India is facilitating EU listing of ship recycling yards through transparent audits, inspections and
regulatory compliance.
·
Indian
recycling facilities have upgraded infrastructure to meet international
environmental and safety standards.
·
Ship
recycling yards are supported by:
o Effluent treatment plants.
o Scientific waste management systems.
o Multi-speciality healthcare facilities
supported by the Red Cross Society.
o Dedicated worker housing.
·
The
government conducts regular
and surprise inspections to ensure environmental compliance,
worker safety and operational transparency.
·
India
aims to recycle nearly
16,000 ships over the next decade.
·
The
Government has committed USD
8 billion to support the growth of the shipbuilding and ship recycling sectors.
·
The EU
proposed establishing a Joint
Working Group (JWG) involving relevant ministries and
organisations to facilitate coordination on the recognition process.
·
The EU
emphasised the importance of unannounced
inspections to maintain high standards of compliance,
transparency and accountability.
·
The
proposal for recognising Indian yards will be discussed with EU member states before
a final decision is taken.
·
Commissioner
Jessika Roswall
expressed willingness to visit Indian ship recycling facilities after the
assessment process is completed.
·
The EU
reaffirmed that its approach is aligned with the India–EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA)
discussions and the Hong
Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling
of Ships.
·
Recognition
of Indian ship recycling facilities under the EU framework is expected to:
o Strengthen global ship recycling capacity.
o Promote higher environmental and worker
safety standards.
o Support the circular economy.
o Enhance sustainable and resilient global
maritime supply chains.
India
and the European Union have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation
in sustainable ship recycling, with both sides expressing confidence over the progress
made in facilitating the inclusion of Indian ship recycling facilities under the
European Union Ship Recycling Regulation (EUSRR).
During
discussions between Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda
Sonowal and European Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive
Circular Economy Jessika Roswall, the two sides reviewed the ongoing audit and compliance
process for Indian ship recycling yards seeking recognition under the EU regulatory
framework.
The
Union Minister said more than 30 Indian ship recycling yards have applied for EU
recognition, with six yards currently undergoing the compliance and approval process.
Three ship recycling facilities have successfully completed all required compliance
procedures and are now eligible to apply for inclusion under the EU Ship Recycling
Regulation framework.
“Under
the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, India has emerged as
the world's leading ship recycling nation and is steadily strengthening its position
as a global hub for safe, environmentally sustainable and responsible ship recycling,"
Sarbananda Sonowal said.
According
to the latest UN Conference on Trade & Development (UNCTAD) estimates, India's
share in worldwide ship recycling increased from 30.1% in 2024 to 35.4% in 2025.
The country recycled 2.99 million gross tons (GT) of ships during 2025, registering
nearly 60% growth over 1.86 million GT recycled in 2024.
The
Union Minister said the Government of India is facilitating the listing of Indian
ship recycling yards through a transparent process of audits, inspections and regulatory
compliance. He noted that Indian facilities have made significant investments in
upgrading infrastructure and operational practices to meet international standards,
reflecting the country's commitment to sustainable maritime development and responsible
recycling.
Sonowal
said Indian ship recycling facilities are supported by robust environmental infrastructure
and worker welfare measures, including effluent treatment plants, scientific waste
management systems, multi-speciality healthcare facilities supported by the Red
Cross Society and dedicated housing for workers. Sonowal also reiterated that the
government conducts periodic as well as unannounced inspections to ensure the highest
standards of environmental compliance, worker safety and operational transparency
are consistently maintained.
Highlighting
India's long-term vision, Sonowal said the country aims to recycle nearly 16,000
ships over the next decade and has announced a financial commitment of USD 8 billion
to support the growth of the shipbuilding and ship recycling sectors. Sonowal said
expanding the number of internationally recognised Indian recycling facilities would
contribute significantly to the global circular economy by promoting environmentally
sound recycling practices while creating employment and strengthening maritime sustainability.
Commissioner
Roswall welcomed the progress achieved so far and proposed establishing a Joint
Working Group (JWG) comprising representatives from the Ministry of Environment
and other relevant ministries and organisations to facilitate effective coordination
and support the next phase of the process.
The
commissioner emphasised the importance of unannounced inspections in maintaining
high standards of compliance, transparency and accountability, while noting that
the matter would be discussed with EU member states during the autumn session before
any final decision is taken.
Roswall
also expressed willingness to visit Indian ship recycling facilities after the consultation
and assessment process is completed. She reaffirmed that the European Union's approach
remains consistent with the outcomes of the India-EU Free Trade Agreement discussions
and the provisions of the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally
Sound Recycling of Ships.
The
discussions underscore the growing strategic partnership between India and the European
Union in advancing sustainable maritime practices. Recognition of compliant Indian
ship recycling facilities under the EU framework is expected to strengthen global
recycling capacity, promote higher environmental and safety standards, and support
responsible end-of-life management of ships while reinforcing resilient and sustainable
global maritime supply chains.