Global Shipping Industry Rallies Behind Alang: 8 World Maritime Bodies Back Inclusion in EU Recycling List
BHAVNAGAR | SEPTEMBER 20 — In a major boost to Alang’s years-long quest for European market access, the international shipping industry has come out in open support of India’s premier ship recycling hub. Eight major global maritime organisations have addressed an open letter to the Environment and Transport Ministers of the European Union, urging them to endorse the European Commission’s proposal to add two Alang ship recycling yards to the European Ship Recycling List.
The joint appeal was submitted by the world’s leading maritime bodies: BIMCO, Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), European Community Shipowners’ Associations (ECSA), International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), International Association of Dry Cargo Shipowners (INTERCARGO), Interferry, International Association of Independent Tanker Owners (INTERTANKO), and the World Shipping Council (WSC).
The proposal covers two specific facilities located in Bhavnagar district’s Alang: Shree Ram Vessel Scrap and Y.S.I. Recyclers. Both yards underwent detailed evaluations assessing compliance with safety, environmental management, and infrastructural requirements under the EU Ship Recycling Regulation (EUSRR).
The eight global associations underscored that both yards have made substantial investments and operational upgrades in worker safety, waste containment, and environmental stewardship over recent years. They maintained that EU member states should evaluate the proposal strictly on technical merits, regulatory conformity, and objective inspection outcomes.
The stakes are considerable for India’s recycling sector. European shipowners control approximately 30% of the world’s merchant fleet by gross tonnage. Under the EUSRR, commercial vessels flying an EU member state flag must exclusively be dismantled at facilities featured on the European List. While yards located outside the European Union are eligible for inclusion, they must demonstrate compliance with rigorous European standards.
Final approval would grant the selected Alang yards direct access to decommissioned European-flagged tonnage, ending a prolonged impasse.
The initiative, however, faces fierce pushback. Just two days before the shipowners’ joint appeal, a coalition of six non-governmental, trade union, and environmental groups formally registered objections with European authorities, spotlighting the contentious debate surrounding ship dismantling practices.
Key Highlights & Perspectives
1. The Coalition of Support: 8 Global Bodies Make Their Case
On September 17, the eight international maritime bodies sent their joint open letter to EU ministers, highlighting that:
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Both shortlisted Indian facilities have demonstrated sustained improvements in downstream waste management, workforce protection, and physical infrastructure.
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Approving compliant non-EU facilities provides practical capacity for shipowners seeking certified, responsible dismantling venues.
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Decisions should reflect verified facility audits rather than blanket regional exclusions.
2. The Opposition: 6 Groups Challenge “Beaching” Standards
On September 15, six prominent advocacy and trade union organisations—the NGO Shipbreaking Platform, EUROFER, IndustriALL European Trade Union, the European Environmental Bureau (EEB), Recycling Europe, and Transport & Environment (T&E)—petitioned the European Commission to reject the proposal.
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Core Objection: The coalition argues that dismantling vessels in intertidal zones (“beaching”) inherently compromises containment of hazardous materials and petroleum residues.
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Environmental & Safety Concerns: Opponents pointed to past environmental incidents, including oil spills in coastal zones, claiming intertidal shipbreaking cannot guarantee equivalence with EU-based dry dock or slipway operations.
3. Why EU Accreditation Matters to Alang
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Direct Access to EU Fleets: EU-flagged vessels cannot legally be recycled in non-listed yards. Approval opens a major segment of global commercial shipping directly to Bhavnagar’s yards.
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Targeted Scope: The current proposal applies strictly to Shree Ram Vessel Scrap and Y.S.I. Recyclers, based on individual audits, rather than a blanket clearance for the entire Alang belt.
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Global Market Validation: Securing entry onto the European List serves as a definitive validation of yard modernisation, strengthening India’s competitive standing globally.
Timeline: Alang’s 8-Year Path to the European Threshold
| Year / Date | Milestone |
| 2009 | Adoption of the Hong Kong International Convention (HKC) establishes global frameworks for safe, environmentally sound ship recycling. |
| 2018 | The EU Ship Recycling Regulation enters into force, establishing the official European List of certified facilities. |
| 2018–2019 | Independent audits and evaluations of select Alang recycling yards commence against EUSRR benchmarks. |
| 2021 | Shree Ram Vessel Scrap’s application moves through formal review and assessment stages. |
| 2026 | The European Commission formally proposes including two Alang yards in the 16th update of the European List. |
| September 15 | Six international environmental, trade, and labour groups submit formal objections against listing beaching yards. |
| September 17 | Eight major global shipping associations issue an open letter backing the inclusion of both Indian yards. |
The final decision rests with the member states of the European Union, who will vote on whether to formally ratify the inclusion of the two Alang yards in the upcoming update to the European List.
Author: shipping inbox
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