The European Union is moving towards approving the first Indian ship recycling yards under its stringent ship recycling regulations, marking a significant milestone for India’s maritime sector and the global ship recycling industry.
Once approved, the Indian facilities will be eligible to recycle EU-flagged vessels in compliance with the EU Ship Recycling Regulation (EU SRR), which requires ships flying EU member state flags to be dismantled only at yards included on the European List of approved recycling facilities.
The development is expected to enhance India’s position as a global ship recycling hub, particularly at Alang in Gujarat, where several yards have upgraded their infrastructure and adopted international environmental and worker safety standards in line with the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships.
Industry stakeholders believe EU recognition will boost investor confidence, attract higher-value vessels for recycling and expand business opportunities for Indian recycling yards. It is also expected to strengthen India’s reputation for responsible and sustainable ship recycling while supporting the country’s maritime economy.
The approval process reflects the growing acceptance of improvements made by Indian ship recycling facilities in environmental management, hazardous waste handling and occupational safety. Once the yards are formally included on the European List, they will be able to compete for recycling contracts involving EU-flagged ships, opening a new avenue for growth in the sector.
