India becomes world's top ship recycling nation in 2025

India has officially claimed the title of the world's top ship recycling nation in 2025, a significant milestone achieved ahead of schedule. According to a report by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), India's share of the global ship recycling market increased to 35.4% in 2025, up from 30.1% in the previous year.

The volume of ship recycling in India saw a substantial rise, reaching 2.99 million gross tons (GT) in 2025. This represents a nearly 60% increase compared to the 1.86 million GT recycled in 2024. This remarkable growth means India has met its Maritime India Vision 2030 target to become a global leader in ship recycling well ahead of the deadline.

Union Minister for Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, attributed this success to sustained policy reforms, industry efforts, and strict adherence to international environmental and safety standards. "India's emergence as world's top ship recycling nation reflects the success of sustained policy reforms, industry efforts and adherence to international environmental and safety standards under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi," Sonowal stated. He emphasized that this achievement reinforces India's position as a global hub for responsible and sustainable ship recycling.

The government's efforts include the enactment of the Recycling of Ships Act, 2019, aligning the sector with the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships. Financial assistance of ₹53.5 crore has supported the modernization of 115 ship recycling yards, helping them achieve compliance. Furthermore, the Ship-breaking Credit Note Scheme incentivizes ship owners by offering credit notes equivalent to 40% of the scrap value, which can be used towards purchasing new vessels built in India, thus promoting both recycling and domestic shipbuilding.

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India's emergence as world's top ship recycling nation reflects the success of sustained policy reforms, industry efforts and adherence to international environmental and safety standards under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It reinforces India's position as a global hub for responsible and sustainable ship recycling.