EU Proposes Adding Two Indian Ship Recycling Yards To European Ship Recycling List

The European Commission has proposed adding two Indian ship recycling facilities to the updated European List of Ship Recycling Facilities, a move welcomed by European Shipowners (ECSA) as a long-awaited step that could expand approved recycling options for EU-flagged ships.

If approved, the decision would mark the first time Indian ship recycling yards are included on the European List, ending years of exclusion despite investments by several Indian facilities to meet international environmental and safety standards.

ECSA, which has called for the inclusion of compliant Indian yards since the EU Ship Recycling Regulation (SRR) came into force, said the proposal sends a strong signal that ship recycling facilities outside the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) can be recognised if they meet the EU’s safety and environmental requirements.

“This is a long-awaited and very welcome step, which rewards the investments these yards have made to meet EU standards,” said Sotiris Raptis, Secretary General of ECSA.

“We now count on policymakers to swiftly finalise and adopt the List so that the two facilities can be approved without further delay, and we hope to see more compliant non-OECD yards making the List in the future.

Addressing the capacity challenge is essential if the European List is to work as an incentive for safe and environmentally sound ship recycling worldwide,” he added.

ECSA published its response on July 23 after the European Commission proposed updating the list.

The proposal is being seen as an important development for India’s ship recycling industry, particularly after years of efforts by Indian recyclers to upgrade their facilities to meet international environmental and worker safety standards.

European shipowners have said several Indian recycling yards already meet standards comparable to those required under the EU Ship Recycling Regulation.

They have argued that keeping Indian yards off the EU-approved list reduced recycling options for EU-flagged ships, even though many facilities invested in hazardous waste management, impermeable working floors, worker safety measures and emergency response systems.

Many Indian yards have also received Statements of Compliance under the Hong Kong International Convention (HKC), industry stakeholders said.

India has continued to seek greater recognition from the European Union, with more than 30 ship recycling yards reportedly applying for EU approval.

According to recent government statements, several facilities have completed the required compliance process and are eligible for inclusion under the EU Ship Recycling Regulation.

The proposed inclusion is expected to strengthen confidence in India’s ship recycling sector, especially at Alang, where significant investments have been made to align operations with international standards following the entry into force of the Hong Kong International Convention in June 2025.

Industry observers also believe the decision could open the door for more Indian facilities to be added to the European List in the future.

In June 2026, ECSA and the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) published an independent study examining the differences between the EU Ship Recycling Regulation and the International Maritime Organization’s Hong Kong Convention.

The study said global progress had been made since the convention entered into force and identified the inclusion of compliant non-OECD yards on the European List as a priority for the European Union.

The European Commission’s proposal still requires approval before the two Indian facilities can be officially added to the European List.

European Shipowners have urged policymakers to complete the process quickly and continue expanding the list by including more compliant non-OECD ship recycling facilities.

Reference: ECSA