India Becomes World’s Top Ship Recycling Nation in 2025

Source: News on Air

Context

India has emerged as the world’s leading ship recycling nation in 2025, with its share of global ship recycling rising to 35.4 per cent, up from 30.1 per cent in 2024, according to the latest report by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) announced on 22 June 2026 (Monday) that ship recycling in India rose significantly to 2.99 million gross tonnes (GT) in 2025, up nearly 60 per cent from 1.86 million GT in 2024. With this achievement, the target set under the Maritime India Vision (MIV) 2030 to become the world’s leading ship recycling nation has been achieved five years ahead of schedule. Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, emphasised that this reflects the success of sustained policy reforms, industry efforts, and adherence to international environmental and safety standards under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He underlined that the achievement reinforces India’s position as a global hub for responsible and sustainable ship recycling. According to the Baltic and International Maritime Council (BIMCO), more than 16,000 vessels are expected to be recycled globally over the next decade, and with its current market share, India is well-positioned to recycle 500 to 600 vessels annually.

The Announcement

• Announced by: Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW).
• Source Report: UNCTAD’s Latest Report on Maritime Transport.
• Achievement: World’s Top Ship Recycling Nation in 2025.

About Sarbananda Sonowal

• Position: Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (Cabinet Minister).
• Also holds: Minister of AYUSH.
• Native State: Assam.
• Member of Parliament: Rajya Sabha (Assam).

Maritime India Vision (MIV) 2030

• Launched: 2021 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
• Goal: Comprehensive blueprint for maritime sector development by 2030.
• Ship Recycling Target: To become the world’s leading ship recycling nation by 2030.
• Achievement: Target met in 2025, five years ahead of schedule.

Hong Kong International Convention (HKC)

• Full Name: Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships, 2009.
• Adopted: 2009 in Hong Kong.
• Entered into Force Globally: 26 June 2025.
• Aim: Ensure ships, when recycled, do not pose risks to human health, safety, or the environment.
• Key Requirements: Inventory of Hazardous Materials (IHM), Ship Recycling Plan, certifications.

About Alang-Sosiya Ship Recycling Yard (ASSRY)

• Location: Bhavnagar district, Gujarat, on the Gulf of Khambhat.
• Established: 1983 (first ship MV Kota Tenjong, beached on 13 February 1983).
• Stretches: 10 km long beach.
• Geographical Advantages:
  • Tidal range: 10-11 metres (up to 36 feet at peak).
  • Beach gradient: 15 degrees, ideal for beaching ships.
  • Sheltered location in Gulf of Khambhat.
• Regulated by: Gujarat Maritime Board (GMB).

Practice MCQs

Q1. With reference to India becoming the world’s top ship recycling nation in 2025, consider the following statements:

1. India’s share of global ship recycling increased to 35.4% in 2025 from 30.1% in 2024.
2. The achievement was based on the latest report by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).
3. Ship recycling volume rose to 2.99 million gross tonnes in 2025, up nearly 60% from 2024.
4. The achievement was announced by the Ministry of External Affairs.

How many of the above statements are correct?

(a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four (e) None

(Statement 4 is wrong; the achievement was announced by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW), NOT the Ministry of External Affairs.)

Q2. With reference to the Maritime India Vision (MIV) 2030, consider the following statements:

1. It was launched in 2021 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
2. It is a 10-year blueprint for comprehensive development of India’s maritime sector.
3. The ship recycling target under MIV 2030 has been achieved five years ahead of schedule in 2025.
4. The vision is implemented by the Ministry of Defence.

How many of the above statements are correct?

(a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four (e) None

(Statement 4 is wrong; MIV 2030 is implemented by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, NOT the Ministry of Defence.)

Q3. With reference to the Recycling of Ships Act, 2019, consider the following statements:

1. It received Presidential assent on 13 December 2019.
2. It aligns India’s ship recycling ecosystem with the Hong Kong International Convention.
3. India acceded to the Hong Kong Convention on 28 November 2019.
4. The Act permits unrestricted use of hazardous materials on new ships.

How many of the above statements are correct?

(a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four (e) None

(Statement 4 is wrong; the Act restricts and prohibits the use of hazardous materials on new ships from the date the legislation comes into force.)

Q4. With reference to the Hong Kong International Convention (HKC), consider the following statements:

1. It was adopted in 2009 in Hong Kong under the aegis of the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
2. It entered into force globally on 26 June 2025.
3. It aims to ensure safe and environmentally sound recycling of ships.
4. India is yet to ratify the HKC.

How many of the above statements are correct?

(a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four (e) None

(Statement 4 is wrong; India ratified/acceded to the HKC on 28 November 2019.)

Q5. With reference to the Alang-Sosiya Ship Recycling Yard (ASSRY), consider the following statements:

1. It is located in Bhavnagar district of Gujarat on the Gulf of Khambhat.
2. It accounts for approximately 98% of India’s ship recycling and around 32% of global volume.
3. It is regulated by the Gujarat Maritime Board (GMB).
4. It was established in 2019 after the Recycling of Ships Act.

How many of the above statements are correct?

(a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four (e) None

(Statement 4 is wrong; Alang was established in 1983, with the first ship MV Kota Tenjong beached on 13 February 1983, decades before the 2019 Act.)

Q6. With reference to the Ship-breaking Credit Note Scheme and BIMCO projections, consider the following statements:

1. Under the scheme, ship owners receive a credit note equivalent to 40% of the scrap value of a recycled ship.
2. The credit note can be used towards up to 5% of the value of a new vessel built at an Indian shipyard.
3. According to BIMCO, more than 16,000 vessels are expected to be recycled globally over the next decade.
4. BIMCO is a United Nations specialised agency for global shipping.

How many of the above statements are correct?

(a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four (e) None

(Statement 4 is wrong; BIMCO (Baltic and International Maritime Council) is an international shipping association based in Denmark, NOT a UN specialised agency. The UN specialised agency for shipping is the IMO (International Maritime Organization).)

Answer Key

1. (c), Statements 1, 2, 3 are correct; Statement 4 is wrong because MoPSW announced it, not MEA.
2. (c), Statements 1, 2, 3 are correct; Statement 4 is wrong because MoPSW (not Defence) implements MIV 2030.
3. (c), Statements 1, 2, 3 are correct; Statement 4 is wrong because the Act restricts hazardous materials.
4. (c), Statements 1, 2, 3 are correct; Statement 4 is wrong because India acceded to HKC in November 2019.
5. (c), Statements 1, 2, 3 are correct; Statement 4 is wrong because Alang was established in 1983.
6. (c), Statements 1, 2, 3 are correct; Statement 4 is wrong because BIMCO is a private association, not a UN agency.