India takes the lead in ship recycling under the Hong Kong Convention

HONG KONG : Ship recycling is a critical component of the maritime lifecycle, contributing significantly to resource efficiency and circular economy, with over 90% of a ship’s material recovered and reused.

To ensure that this process is carried out safely and responsibly, the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships (HKC) establishes a global framework for environmentally sound and worker-safe ship recycling.

India has emerged as a global leader in compliant ship recycling, with 115 HKC-compliant ship recycling yards, primarily located at Alang, Gujarat — the world’s largest ship recycling cluster.

Aligned with the HKC through the Recycling of Ships Act, 2019 and Ship Recycling Rules, 2021, India has established a robust regulatory framework, with the Directorate General of Shipping as the National Authority overseeing implementation.

With the Hong Kong Convention entering into force globally, India stands fully prepared and continues to strengthen its position as a leader in safe, environmentally responsible and globally compliant ship recycling.

Looking ahead, India aims to further expand its recycling capacity and drive sustainable growth across the maritime sector.