Ship Recycling in India: Regulatory Transformation and Global Leadership

In 2025 India emerged as the world’s leading ship‑recycling nation, raising its global market share from 30.1% in 2024 to 35.4% and increasing recycling volume from 1.86 million to 2.99 million gross tonnes – a near‑60% rise. The Alang‑Sosiya cluster, accounting for about 98% of domestic activity, has an annual capacity of ~6 million GT and aims to double to 9 million LDT through a master‑plan. Regulatory reforms – Ship Recycling Act (2019), Rules (2021) and Regulations (2026) – align domestic practice with the Hong Kong International Convention (effective 26 June 2025) and have enabled 115 yards to achieve compliance, supported by ₹53.5 crore modernisation funds. The sector supplies ~3.5 million MT of steel annually, creates large‑scale employment, and contributes to resource security, circular‑economy goals and environmental sustainability.