India now leads the world in ship recycling, grabbing impressive 35.4% of global market share by 2025, says report from UNCTAD. Ministry of Ports,Shipping and Waterways announced this on June 22, 2026. It's a fast rise for India in this sector.
Jumping from 30.1% in 2024 to 35.4% in 2025 is a big win for India . Last year, it recycled 2.99 million gross tonnes (GT) of ships . That's nearly a 60% jump from 1.86 million GT in 2024. Growth shows recent maritime policy reforms are paying off.
Sarbananda Sonowal,Union Minister of Ports,Shipping and Waterways, credits success to policy reforms, industry action, and sticking to international standards. He said,“India’s rise as top ship recycling nation shows success of reforms, industry efforts,and international standards under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership.”
Government rolled out several strategic measures to boost ship recycling. Major one is Recycling of Ships Act,enacted in 2019, aligning with Hong Kong International Convention. India ratified it same year . ₹53.5 crore allocated to upgrade ship recycling yards,bringing 115 facilities up to global standards .
New initiative lets ship-breaking yards use credits from recycling to buy new ships built in Indian shipyards. India also aiming to get its recycling facilities on EU’s approved list of ship recycling yards.
Plans afoot to almost double Alang shipyard capacity to about 9 million light displacement tonnes (LDT). With over 16,000 vessels set for recycling worldwide next decade, can India keep leading in sustainable ship recycling…?
