India’s ship recycling industry is pushing for greater recognition from the European Union, with leading cash buyer GMS Inc. urging EU regulators to acknowledge the country’s growing capacity and improved compliance standards.
According to GMS, India has significantly upgraded its ship recycling infrastructure in recent years, particularly at the yards located in Alang, which is widely regarded as the world’s largest shipbreaking cluster. Several facilities there have modernized their operations to meet stricter environmental and safety requirements.
However, many Indian yards are still awaiting inclusion on the European Commission’s approved list under the EU Ship Recycling Regulation. Only yards that meet the regulation’s stringent standards are permitted to recycle EU-flagged vessels.
GMS said Indian recyclers have invested heavily in infrastructure upgrades, including impermeable flooring, advanced waste management systems and improved worker safety practices. Industry stakeholders argue that these improvements bring a number of Indian yards in line with global best practices and international standards.
India has also ratified the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships, reinforcing its commitment to environmentally responsible ship dismantling.
Despite these developments, industry leaders say EU recognition has been slow, limiting opportunities for Indian recyclers to handle vessels from European owners. GMS emphasized that including more Indian yards on the EU list would support responsible recycling while expanding global capacity for end-of-life vessels.
With a large portion of the world’s aging fleet expected to head for dismantling in the coming years, Indian recyclers believe gaining broader international approval will be critical to capturing future ship recycling demand and strengthening the country’s position in the global maritime recycling market.