Bhavnagar Hosts International Workshop on Advancing Occupational Safety and Health in Ship Recycling
Bhavnagar, August 23, 2025
The coastal city of Bhavnagar, home to India’s famed Alang-Sosiya ship recycling yards, became the epicenter of global dialogue on safety, sustainability, and collaboration in ship recycling as a high-level workshop was held on August 21–22, 2025. Organized by the International Labour Organization (ILO) in partnership with the Royal Norwegian Consulate General in Mumbai, the two-day event brought together a diverse set of voices from across the ship recycling ecosystem to address challenges and chart pathways toward a safer, greener, and more sustainable future for the industry.
The workshop, titled “Advancing Occupational Safety and Health in Ship Recycling: A Collaborative Approach to Shared Challenges and Solutions”, embraced the tripartite framework championed by the ILO, reflecting Norway’s strong work-environment model. This approach placed workers, employers, and policymakers at the center of the dialogue, ensuring that discussions were inclusive, balanced, and rooted in lived experiences.
A wide spectrum of stakeholders participated, including ship recycling workers from Bhavnagar, leaders of the Ship Recycling Industries Association (SRIA), senior officials from the ILO, Norwegian experts on occupational health, representatives from the Gujarat Maritime Board, academics from India and Norway, and members of international trade unions. The All Sosiya Ship Recycling and General Workers’ Association (ASSRGWA), the local workers’ union, played a pivotal role in facilitating sessions, bridging voices on the ground with global expertise, and fostering a spirit of cooperation.
Over the course of the workshop, participants delved into issues critical to the future of ship recycling. Central to the discussions was the alignment of India’s industry practices with the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships (HKC), which will come into force in 2025. The convention establishes global standards for occupational safety, environmental safeguards, and responsible dismantling of end-of-life ships—an area where Alang has long been under international scrutiny but has also shown substantial progress in recent years.
Norwegian experts, drawing on their country’s rich experience in occupational safety frameworks, highlighted models that could be adapted to the Indian context. “The Norwegian work environment has been built on collaboration, trust, and shared responsibility between workers, employers, and regulators. We believe these principles can inspire practical improvements in ship recycling hubs like Alang,” noted one of the Norwegian delegates during the plenary session.
The conversations also focused on innovative solutions for a green transition in ship recycling, emphasizing circular economy principles. Discussions revolved around integrating sustainable practices that not only enhance worker safety but also reduce environmental risks, such as improved waste management, safer dismantling technologies, and responsible handling of hazardous materials like asbestos and oil residues. Participants highlighted that sustainable ship recycling was not merely a compliance exercise but an opportunity to position Alang as a global leader in green maritime transitions.
A key theme that resonated throughout the workshop was the importance of collaboration among stakeholders. Representatives from the Gujarat Maritime Board reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing safety and compliance in Alang’s yards, while SRIA members stressed the industry’s readiness to adopt new practices, provided that workers’ welfare remained at the core of reforms. Meanwhile, the ASSRGWA underscored the urgent need for continuous training, access to protective equipment, and medical facilities for workers who face daily occupational hazards.
ILO officials echoed these calls, pointing out that the success of ship recycling reforms depends on sustained tripartite dialogue. “Ship recycling is not just about ships—it is about people, communities, and the environment. The ILO is committed to supporting India in ensuring that every worker engaged in this vital industry has the right to a safe and healthy workplace,” remarked an ILO representative in the closing session.
Another significant outcome of the workshop was the consensus on developing a shared roadmap for the future. This roadmap, shaped by inputs from regulators, industry representatives, workers, and researchers, is expected to outline immediate actions for improving safety measures, medium-term strategies for HKC compliance, and long-term goals for sustainable growth. Stakeholders agreed to continue this dialogue through follow-up meetings, joint research initiatives, and capacity-building programs.
For many participants, the workshop also evoked reflections on the remarkable journey of Alang over the past decade and a half. What was once criticized internationally for poor safety standards and environmental negligence has gradually transformed into a more regulated, structured, and compliant industry. This progress has been supported by a combination of regulatory reforms, industry investments, and grassroots worker initiatives.
One of the speakers recalled his own experience of visiting Alang between 2009 and 2012 as part of a research team led by Professor Shyam Asolekar at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay. “Back then, the conditions were vastly different, and many challenges appeared insurmountable. Today, seeing the strides that have been made in occupational health, environmental safeguards, and international collaboration is truly inspiring. But our work is far from done. We must continue bridging knowledge gaps, strengthening best practices, and ensuring that progress is inclusive and lasting.”
As the workshop concluded, it left participants with a renewed sense of purpose. For the workers of Alang, it was an affirmation that their voices matter in shaping the industry’s future. For policymakers and regulators, it was a reminder that international collaboration and localized action must go hand in hand. For industry leaders, it underscored that competitiveness in the global recycling market increasingly depends on demonstrating safety, sustainability, and compliance.
Bhavnagar’s two-day workshop thus marked more than just an exchange of ideas; it represented a step forward in building a resilient and responsible ship recycling sector in India. With the Hong Kong Convention now set to become a binding international framework, the momentum from this workshop could prove pivotal in positioning Alang not only as the world’s largest ship recycling hub but also as a benchmark for sustainable practices in the maritime industry.
Author: shipping inbox
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