India is preparing to recycle nearly 16,000 ships over the next ten years, Union minister Sarbananda Sonowal said on Wednesday. Alongside that target, the government has committed USD 8 billion to strengthen both shipbuilding and ship recycling. The announcement came just as India and the European Union were discussing how to secure wider recognition for Indian ship recycling yards.
Both sides reaffirmed their cooperation on sustainable ship recycling. India and the European Union said they were confident about progress on bringing Indian facilities under the European Union Ship Recycling Regulation (EUSRR). The talks formed part of a broader push to lift safety and environmental standards in the business of dismantling ships at the end of their life.
Sonowal meets Roswall
According to an official statement, Sonowal met Jessika Roswall, the European Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy. The two reviewed the audits and compliance checks for Indian yards seeking recognition under the EU framework. That process has involved inspections and documentation to satisfy the regulation's requirements.
Roswall welcomed the progress and proposed setting up a Joint Working Group (JWG). The group would bring in the Ministry of Environment along with other ministries and organisations. The idea is to build closer coordination during the next stage of assessments. Roswall also stressed that unannounced inspections were important for compliance, transparency and accountability.
Jobs and the circular economy
Sonowal said that having more internationally recognised Indian facilities would support the global circular economy. He tied recognition to cleaner recycling practices, more jobs and stronger maritime sustainability. The statement noted that the discussions reflected a growing strategic partnership between India and the EU on sustainable maritime practices.
Roswall said the matter would be taken up with EU member states in the autumn session, and that any final decision would come only after that stage. She also said she was willing to visit Indian ship recycling facilities, a trip that would follow the completion of consultations and assessments.
Rising global share
Estimates from the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) show that India's share of global ship recycling has grown. It rose from 30.1 per cent in 2024 to 35.4 per cent in 2025. India recycled 2.99 million gross tonnes (GT) in 2025, up from 1.86 million GT in 2024.
Sonowal said the government was helping list Indian yards through audits and inspections, and that the process was transparent and grounded in regulatory compliance. He added that Indian facilities had invested in better infrastructure and operations to meet international standards.
Environment and worker welfare
Sonowal said Indian ship recycling facilities had environmental systems and worker welfare measures in place. He pointed to effluent treatment plants and scientific waste management systems. He also mentioned multi-speciality healthcare facilities run with the support of the Red Cross Society, and noted that dedicated worker housing was available too.
He said the government conducted periodic inspections as well as unannounced checks, aimed at maintaining environmental compliance and worker safety. The official statement said EU recognition could improve global recycling capacity, adding that it could support safer end-of-life ship management and more resilient maritime supply chains.
