India’s Journey from Resistance to Leadership in Green Ship Recycling under the Hong Kong Convention
July 14, 2025
When the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships was adopted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in 2009, many in the global ship recycling industry viewed it with caution, if not skepticism. Nowhere was this hesitation more evident than in India—home to Alang, one of the largest shipbreaking yards in the world. At the time, India’s ship recycling sector feared that compliance with the new regulatory framework would upend traditional practices, increase operational costs, and jeopardize the very viability of the business.
Today, however, that initial resistance has given way to remarkable transformation. India now leads the world in the number of ship recycling yards certified as compliant with the Hong Kong Convention (HKC), with over 100 yards certified. The country has gone from being a reluctant participant to a global example of how environmental and safety regulations can catalyze modernization and growth in a traditionally hazardous industry.
In a recent interview shared by the Ship Recycling Industries Association (India), Haresh Parmar, the association’s secretary, reflected on the sector’s dramatic evolution over the last decade. His remarks, part of a broader discussion accessible here, offer insight into the shift in mindset that enabled this turnaround and the strategic decisions that paved the way.
Initial Resistance and Uncertainty
“When the Hong Kong Convention was introduced, many in India’s ship recycling sector were not ready to accept it,” Parmar said. “There was resistance, uncertainty, and concern about feasibility.”
The concerns were not unfounded. The Convention, designed to ensure that ships are recycled without compromising safety and the environment, mandated major upgrades to facilities, new documentation protocols, and greater transparency. For yards operating with minimal infrastructure and limited regulatory oversight, the Convention presented a steep learning curve.
Many operators feared that these requirements would impose costs they could not bear. Additionally, there was confusion about whether international clients would value or reward compliance. Without clarity on commercial benefits, many saw little incentive to invest in changes.
Catalysts for Change
So, what changed?
According to Parmar, several converging forces helped shift the industry’s outlook.
The first was awareness—both global and domestic—of the environmental and human cost of unsafe shipbreaking practices. International media, NGOs, and shipping companies began putting pressure on recyclers to improve standards. This external scrutiny not only damaged reputations but also affected business.
Second, the Indian government, recognizing the strategic importance of the ship recycling sector, began engaging more directly. It supported the development of national legislation aligned with HKC requirements, culminating in India becoming one of the first major recycling nations to ratify the Hong Kong Convention in 2019.
“The Indian government’s support was crucial,” Parmar noted. “They worked with industry stakeholders, introduced financial incentives, and helped create a roadmap.”
Governmental backing was further reinforced by technical assistance from international bodies like the IMO, Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT), and classification societies such as ClassNK and Lloyd’s Register. These partnerships helped demystify the Convention and offered practical steps for implementation.
Investing in Compliance
Armed with guidance and growing commercial incentives, Indian yard owners gradually began investing in infrastructure improvements. These included impermeable floors to prevent soil contamination, stormwater drainage systems, hazardous waste storage areas, and safety training programs for workers.
Additionally, companies began to implement and maintain Ship Recycling Facility Plans (SRFPs) and secure Statements of Compliance from recognized classification societies. These certifications became valuable tools in negotiations with ship owners, many of whom began preferring HKC-compliant yards for dismantling their end-of-life vessels.
The transformation wasn’t just technical—it was cultural. Yard owners who once viewed the Convention as an imposition began to see it as a competitive advantage.
Becoming a Global Leader
India’s success is now undeniable. As of mid-2025, more than 100 yards, most of them located in Alang, Gujarat, have been certified as compliant with the Hong Kong Convention. These yards handle the dismantling of a significant portion of the world’s retired fleet and are increasingly being recognized for their commitment to safe and green recycling.
India’s leadership has also brought tangible benefits. HKC-compliant yards command higher prices for their services, attract more reputable clients, and enjoy greater support from insurers and financiers. In effect, compliance has shifted from a regulatory burden to a business enabler.
Moreover, India’s proactive stance has positioned it as a policy influencer. As more countries prepare to implement the Convention following its formal entry into force in June 2025, India’s model is being studied closely. Its journey is a case study in how a sector deeply rooted in informal practices can professionalize and thrive under a structured regulatory regime.
Lessons for Other Nations
India’s experience offers key lessons for other ship recycling nations such as Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Nigeria, which are at different stages of aligning with HKC standards.
First, early engagement with stakeholders—from yard owners and workers to international partners—is vital. Building trust and understanding is essential to overcoming resistance.
Second, investment in infrastructure and training pays off in the long run, not only in terms of regulatory compliance but also in improved safety records and stronger market positioning.
Third, having a clear national policy and institutional support—such as India’s Ship Recycling Act, 2019—is a game changer. It provides a framework for accountability and encourages uniform standards.
Looking Ahead
As the Hong Kong Convention enters into force, the global ship recycling landscape is set for further change. Countries that lag in compliance may find themselves shut out of key markets, while those that lead—like India—will be well-positioned to shape the future.
“There’s still work to be done,” Parmar cautioned. “We must continue improving, learning, and investing in people. But the journey so far has shown that transformation is possible, even in the most challenging of sectors.”
India’s story, from reluctance to leadership, demonstrates that with the right mix of vision, support, and determination, the ship recycling industry can be both profitable and responsible. And as the rest of the world catches up, India stands ready—not just as a participant, but as a leader in the global push for sustainable ship recycling.
Author: shipping inbox
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