India has set an ambitious target to recycle around 16,000 ships over the next decade as the country looks to expand its ship recycling industry and strengthen its position in the global maritime sector, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said.
The initiative is aimed at boosting sustainable ship recycling practices, increasing capacity at Indian recycling yards, and supporting the government’s broader maritime growth strategy. The move is expected to create new opportunities for employment, steel recovery, and circular economy development.
India’s ship recycling industry, led by major facilities in Gujarat, plays an important role in global vessel recycling. The sector is expected to benefit from increased adoption of environmentally responsible practices and compliance with international safety standards.
The government is focusing on modernising recycling infrastructure, improving worker safety, and promoting greener methods to handle end-of-life vessels.
Officials said the planned expansion will help India capture a larger share of the global ship recycling market while supporting the country’s long-term maritime ambitions.