If the environmental associations NGO Shipbreaking Platform and Transport & Environment (T&E) have expressed opposition compared to the inclusion of Asian shipyards in the list of plants authorized by the European Union in the capacity of European plants that consider more than sufficient for the dismantling of the European ships ( of 31 August 2026), on the other hand, the associations BIMCO, European Shipowners | ECSA, International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), Intercargo, Intertanko and World Shipping Council (WSC) who today expressed their support for the European Commission's proposal to add two Indian ship recycling facilities to the European List of construction sites authorised by the EU to carry out ship demolition that was last updated last February ( of 27 February 2026).

Recalling that the shipping industry has supported the inclusion of non-OECD compliant shipyards from the entry into force of the EU Ship Recycling Regulation at the end of 2013, the Six shipowners' associations, in a joint statement, underlined that, 'in addition to its practical relevance for Shipowners, the proposal sends a strong political signal: shipyards non-OECD requirements that meet safety and environmental requirements EU Ship Recycling Regulation can and should be approved'.

For BIMCO, ECSA, ICS, Intercargo, Intertanko and WSC, "The inclusion of these two plants represents a step towards the resolution of the structural deficiency of capacity in the European list. Given that industry estimates indicate a significant increase in the number of ships will reach the end of their operational life in the next decade - the shipowners' associations pointed out - the Availability of compliant recycling capacity is essential. A European list reflecting the reality of global recycling capacity is a precondition for the legislation to work As planned: Promoting safe and respectful recycling of the environment all over the world".

"Inclusion in the European list - continues the declaration - should be determined solely by the compliance of a plant with safety requirements and of the EU Ship Recycling Regulation, based on the objective assessment and inspection. The construction sites involved have made significant investments to modernise their infrastructure, safety systems and environmental management in order to meet the standards of the Hong Kong Convention and the EU Ship Recycling Regulation. These efforts embody the very purpose of the EU Ship Recycling Regulation: reduce disparities between operators in the EU, the OECD and in the third countries concerned in terms of health and safety at the and environmental standards, in support of the Convention globally. Other shipyards in the region have followed the same path and it is expected that they will soon meet the requirements of the EU Ship Recycling Regulation. Considering whereas more than 95% of global ship recycling takes place in four countries - Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Turkey - all members of the IMO Hong Kong Convention, it is crucial to approve the plants in these countries, where progress has been made in ensuring safe and respectful ship recycling as soon as they meet the requirements of the EU Regulation on ship recycling. These tangible advances have been supported by a wider ecosystem of concerned: downstream waste management plants that ensure the environmentally sound treatment of hazardous materials, medical and hospital services that protect health and safety and the Indian authorities, who have set up a comprehensive regulatory framework for ship recycling and supported the certification of compliant installations'.

The latest list of third-country ship recycling facilities candidates for inclusion in the list of authorized plants from the EU includes 60 active applications, including 35 from construction sites including Shree Ram Vessel Scrap and YSI factories Recyclers whose inclusion has been proposed by the European Commission. Among the countries from which the others come applications, the largest share is that of the Turkey with 15 active candidacies.