India seeks EU recognition to expand ship recycling facilities

India has sought EU recognition to expand the number of internationally recognized ship recycling facilities, as it plans to invest billions of dollars and recycle thousands of ships over the next decade, a shipping ministry statement on July 1 quoted shipping and ports minister Sarbananda Sonowal as saying.

Sonowal and EU Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience, and a Competitive Circular Economy Jessika Roswall held discussions and reviewed the ongoing audit and compliance process for Indian ship recycling yards seeking recognition under the EU regulatory framework.

Sonowal said more than 30 Indian ship recycling yards had applied for EU recognition, with six currently undergoing the compliance and approval process. Three ship recycling facilities had successfully completed all required compliance procedures and are now eligible to apply for inclusion in the EU Ship Recycling Regulation framework, the statement said.

"Expanding the number of internationally recognized Indian recycling facilities would contribute significantly to the global circular economy by promoting environmentally sound recycling practices while creating employment and strengthening maritime sustainability," he said.

According to the latest estimates from the UN Conference on Trade & Development, India's share of global ship recycling rose from 30.1% in 2024 to 35.4% in 2025. The country recycled 2.99 million gross tons of ships in 2025, representing nearly 60% growth over the 1.86 million GT recycled in 2024.

Transparent audit process

Sonowal said India was facilitating the listing of Indian ship recycling yards through a transparent process of audits, inspections, and regulatory compliance. He noted that Indian facilities have made significant investments to upgrade infrastructure and operational practices to meet international standards, underscoring the country's commitment to sustainable maritime development and responsible recycling.

Indian ship recycling facilities are supported by robust environmental infrastructure and worker welfare measures, including effluent treatment plants, scientific waste management systems, multi-specialty healthcare facilities supported by the Red Cross Society and dedicated housing for workers. Sonowal also reiterated that the government conducts periodic as well as unannounced inspections to ensure the highest standards of environmental compliance, worker safety and operational transparency are consistently maintained.

Roswall welcomed the progress made so far and proposed establishing a joint working group to facilitate effective coordination and support the next phase of the process. She highlighted the importance of unannounced inspections in maintaining high standards of compliance, transparency, and accountability, and added that the matter would be discussed with EU member states during the autumn session before any final decision, the statement said.