India is now #1 in ship recycling globally

1.The jump in numbers

2024 → 2025: 1.86 million GT → 2.99 million GT, almost 60% growth

Global share: 30.1% → 35.4% in one year

MIV 2030 goal: Becoming world’s leading ship recycling nation was achieved 5 years early . 

2. How it happened: Policy + Infrastructure

Recycling of Ships Act, 2019: India ratified the Hong Kong International Convention and built a legal framework for safe/green recycling

₹53.5 crore fund: Used to upgrade 115 yards at Alang to HKC-compliant standards

HKC compliance = big deal: Means proper hazardous waste management, worker safety, no tidal beaching. That’s why EU/US ship owners now choose Alang

3. Alang’s expansion plan

Current: Handles 90%+ of India’s ship breaking

Gujarat Maritime Board master plan: Aims to raise capacity to ∼9 million LDT, add dedicated plots for green recycling, hazmat treatment plants

Next decade outlook: With 16,000+ ships due for recycling globally, India expects 500-600 vessels/year . 

4. Economic + environmental impact

Steel supply: Alang produces ∼2 million tons of re-rollable steel annually for construction, auto sectors

Jobs: ∼60,000 direct workers at Alang, plus downstream industries

Green angle: HKC yards recover 95%+ of a ship’s materials. Steel, copper, machinery get reused instead of mined new. 

5. Who said what

Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal: “India’s emergence as world’s top ship recycling nation reflects the success of sustained policy reforms, industry efforts and adherence to international environmental and safety standards