Bansal Ship Breakers Honoured with Swachh Samudra Award, Marking a Historic Milestone for India’s Green Maritime Future
In a landmark moment for India’s maritime sector, Bansal Ship Breakers Private Limited has been conferred the prestigious Swachh Samudra Ship Recycling Excellence Award at the 75th Anniversary Commemorative Celebration of the Directorate General of Shipping (DG Shipping). The ceremony, held on September 4, 2025, at the Bharat Ratnam – Mega Common Facilitation Centre, SEEPZ SEZ, Mumbai, was attended by leading figures of the maritime fraternity, policy makers, and global dignitaries.
This recognition holds a special significance not only for Bansal Ship Breakers but also for India’s entire ship recycling ecosystem. The honour highlights the country’s growing stature as a global leader in sustainable and responsible ship recycling, a sector that plays a crucial role in advancing the circular economy, protecting the environment, and creating livelihoods for thousands of workers.
The award was presented to Shri Kapoorchand Karamchand Bansal, Founder of Bansal Ship Breakers, who received it alongside his sons Rubal Bansal and Bharat Bansal, Directors of the company. Their joint presence symbolised the generational continuity of values that have guided the Bansal Group—sustainability, responsibility, and innovation.
In his acceptance remarks, Shri Kapoorchand Bansal expressed heartfelt gratitude, stating, “This award is not just an honour for Bansal Ship Breakers, but a recognition of India’s entire ship recycling ecosystem. Under the guidance of DG Shipping, Gujarat Maritime Board, and the visionary policies of the Government of India, the industry has grown into a global leader. I feel truly blessed to witness this milestone alongside my sons, our team, and the wider maritime community.”
A Journey Rooted in Compliance and Innovation
The Bansal Group today operates two ship recycling yards in Alang, Gujarat: Bansal Ship Breakers Pvt. Ltd. and Bansal Ship Recyclers LLP. Together, these facilities showcase how tradition and modern compliance can coexist in building a forward-looking green ship recycling industry.
Over the years, the group has invested heavily in modern infrastructure, international certifications, and sustainable practices. The Bansal yards have emerged as some of the most certified facilities in Asia, holding a series of globally recognised standards. These include ISO 50000 (Energy Management), ISO 55000 (Asset Management), ISO 9001 (Quality), ISO 14001 (Environment), ISO 45001 (Occupational Health & Safety), and ISO 30000 (Ship Recycling Management Systems). Furthermore, the yards proudly hold dual Hong Kong Convention Statements of Compliance from Lloyd’s Register and ClassNK, positioning them at the forefront of global standards in safe and environmentally sound ship recycling.
Such certifications are not just symbolic; they reflect a deep-rooted commitment to worker safety, environmental stewardship, and operational excellence. They also demonstrate how Indian ship recyclers, once under global scrutiny, are now setting benchmarks for the world.
Workers at the Heart of the Model
One of the defining aspects of Bansal Ship Breakers is its worker-first approach. The company has gone beyond compliance to invest in the welfare of its workforce, building a modern housing colony that accommodates more than 300 workers. Designed to international standards, this colony offers safe living spaces, healthcare services, sanitation facilities, and recreational amenities, creating a secure and dignified environment for workers and their families.
Every worker is equipped with world-class personal protective equipment (PPE) and regularly undergoes training from reputed global organisations. By combining modern housing, healthcare, and continuous training, Bansal has redefined worker welfare in a sector that has historically faced criticism over safety and labour conditions.
The Next Generation Leads the Way
Carrying forward their father’s pioneering legacy, Rubal and Bharat Bansal are charting a future-ready path for the group. Both leaders are committed to aligning the company with India’s broader maritime vision and the nation’s ambitious climate and sustainability goals.
Rubal Bansal, reflecting on the honour, said, “This recognition is an inspiration to keep raising the bar in sustainable ship recycling. It proves that with the right policies, innovation, and determination, India can stand tall as a global role model in the circular steel economy.”
Bharat Bansal emphasised the company’s holistic focus, adding, “Our focus is not only on environmental responsibility but also on community development and worker welfare. With the support of DG Shipping, GMB, and the Government of India, we aim to make Alang a global model for safe and green ship recycling.”
Their leadership is steering the company into a new phase where sustainability is not a compliance requirement but an intrinsic business value.
Recognition of a Larger Maritime Resolve
Adding perspective to the occasion, Rohith Agarwal, Ship Recycling Consultant & Advisor to Bansal Group, observed, “The recognition of Bansal Ship Breakers comes at a time when India is advancing under Maritime India Vision 2030 and charting its course for Amrit Kaal 2047. The Swachh Samudra Award is not merely a recognition for one company but a reflection of India’s larger maritime resolve—to protect oceans, empower workers, and strengthen the global circular economy. Alang, as the world’s largest ship recycling hub, has a critical role to play, and companies like Bansal are setting the benchmark for others to follow.”
Alang’s Role in India’s Maritime Growth
Located on the Gulf of Khambhat in Gujarat, Alang is the largest ship recycling yard in the world, dismantling and recycling hundreds of end-of-life ships annually. The yard has been instrumental in supplying millions of tonnes of recycled steel to India’s construction and manufacturing sectors while generating direct and indirect employment for thousands of workers.
Once criticised for safety and environmental lapses, Alang has undergone a profound transformation over the past decade. With the support of the Gujarat Maritime Board, DG Shipping, and progressive companies like Bansal Ship Breakers, the yard has emerged as a global hub for green ship recycling. Its evolution showcases India’s ability to balance economic opportunity with sustainability imperatives.
By adopting international standards, improving working conditions, and strengthening compliance, Alang is now seen as a key pillar in India’s maritime growth story. The presence of highly certified yards like Bansal underscores the progress made and points towards a future where India will not just be a leader in capacity but also in global best practices.
A Symbol of India’s Green Maritime Ambition
The conferment of the Swachh Samudra Ship Recycling Excellence Award on Bansal Ship Breakers during the DG Shipping’s 75th anniversary celebration carries symbolic weight. It reflects the convergence of tradition and modernity, vision and practice, policy and execution.
This recognition places Bansal Ship Breakers at the forefront of India’s green maritime ambition, supported by the Gujarat Maritime Board and aligned with the Government’s Maritime India Vision 2030. It also signals to the global maritime community that India is not only the world’s largest ship recycling destination but also one of the most sustainable and responsible.
As India looks ahead to its Amrit Kaal 2047 aspirations, companies like Bansal will continue to play a crucial role in demonstrating how economic growth and environmental responsibility can go hand in hand. The Swachh Samudra Award is therefore more than an honour; it is a beacon for the industry and a testament to the resilience, innovation, and vision of India’s maritime sector.
With this recognition, Bansal Ship Breakers has not only etched its name in history but also reaffirmed India’s commitment to shaping a cleaner, safer, and more sustainable future for global ship recycling.
Author: shipping inbox
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