India emerged as the global leader in ship recycling in 2025, capturing a 35.4% share of the market, up from 30.1% in 2024, according to a United Nations Conference on Trade and Development report cited by the shipping ministry. The country processed 2.99 million gross tons (GT) of ships during the year, marking a nearly 60% increase from 1.86 million GT in 2024.
This surge was driven by infrastructure modernizations and policy incentives aimed at expanding capacity. India is working to nearly double its ship recycling capacity to about 9 million light displacement tons by expanding the Alang Ship Recycling Yard, one of the largest ship recycling facilities globally. The government’s Vision 2030 target for ship recycling was achieved five years ahead of schedule, reflecting strong execution on strategic plans.
India’s rise to the top spot in ship recycling is significant in a market traditionally dominated by countries like Bangladesh and Turkey. The nearly 60% growth in volumes contrasts with global trends and highlights India’s competitive edge through enhanced infrastructure and regulatory support. The country’s increased share from 30.1% to 35.4% in just one year underscores its growing influence in the global maritime recycling sector.
The expansion of the Alang Ship Recycling Yard remains a key focus, with plans to increase capacity to 9 million light displacement tons. This facility alone accounts for a substantial portion of India’s ship recycling output and will be central to maintaining the country’s leading position in the sector, according to the shipping ministry and UNCTAD data.