EU Urged to Approve Indian Ship Recycling Yards for European List

In a move to promote sustainable ship recycling practices, GMS, the world's largest buyer of ships for recycling, has called on the European Commission to approve qualified Indian ship recycling facilities for inclusion on the European List under the EU Ship Recycling Regulation (EU SRR). According to GMS, despite more than 110 Indian yards holding Hong Kong Convention (HKC) certifications, the European Commission has so far excluded these facilities from the European List. GMS argues that this 'politically motivated exclusion' is unjustified, as the Indian yards have demonstrated compliance with international standards for worker safety and environmental protection. 'India has made significant strides in upgrading its ship recycling infrastructure and capabilities to meet global standards,' said Anil Sharma, CEO of GMS. 'It is time for the European Commission to recognize this progress and include qualified Indian yards on the European List, which would provide a major boost to the global ship recycling industry.' The EU SRR requires all ships sailing under an EU member state flag to be recycled at an approved facility on the European List. Inclusion on this list is seen as a key validation of a yard's environmental and safety standards. GMS contends that the exclusion of Indian yards from the list is hindering the global transition towards more sustainable ship recycling practices. 'Ship owners should have the freedom to choose the most responsible recycling options available, regardless of geographic location,' added Sharma. 'We urge the European Commission to end this politically motivated exclusion and provide Indian yards a fair opportunity to demonstrate their capabilities.' The call for greater inclusion of Indian ship recycling facilities comes as the maritime industry faces increasing pressure to improve its environmental footprint. With ship recycling playing a critical role in the industry's sustainability efforts, GMS hopes the EU will take steps to recognize qualified facilities worldwide, rather than limiting options based on geographic origin.