India has set an ambitious target to recycle nearly 16,000 ships over the next 10 years, backed by a financial commitment of USD 8 billion to strengthen the country’s shipbuilding and ship recycling ecosystem. The announcement was made by Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal during discussions with Jessika Roswall, the European Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy.
The meeting reaffirmed India and the European Union’s commitment to expanding cooperation in sustainable ship recycling, with both sides reviewing the progress of Indian ship recycling yards seeking recognition under the European Union Ship Recycling Regulation (EUSRR). More than 30 Indian recycling facilities have applied for EU recognition, while six yards are currently undergoing the compliance and approval process. In addition, three Indian facilities have successfully completed the required compliance procedures and are now eligible to apply for inclusion under the EUSRR framework.
According to Sonowal, expanding the number of internationally recognised Indian ship recycling facilities will strengthen the global circular economy by promoting environmentally sound recycling practices, generating employment, and enhancing maritime sustainability. He added that the government’s investment commitment will support the modernisation of ship recycling infrastructure and boost India’s long-term competitiveness in the global maritime industry.
The European Commissioner welcomed the progress made by Indian yards and proposed the formation of a Joint Working Group (JWG) comprising representatives from relevant ministries and organisations to facilitate the next phase of cooperation. She also highlighted the importance of maintaining high standards of transparency, accountability, and environmental compliance through regular and unannounced inspections before EU member states take a final decision on recognising additional Indian facilities.
India has rapidly strengthened its position in the global ship recycling industry. According to UNCTAD estimates, the country’s share of global ship recycling increased from 30.1% in 2024 to 35.4% in 2025, while the volume of ships recycled rose to 2.99 million gross tonnes (GT) in 2025, representing nearly 60% growth over the previous year. The government’s latest initiative is expected to further consolidate India’s leadership in sustainable ship recycling while supporting its broader vision of becoming a global maritime hub.
