Bhavnagar, Gujarat: Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has welcomed the new policy framework introduced by the Gujarat Maritime Board (GMB) for ship recycling plots at Alang-Sosiya, providing longer-term permissions and changes aimed at simplifying the utilisation and management of recycling plots.
The Gujarat Maritime Board (Conditions & Procedures for Granting Permission for Utilizing Ship Recycling Plots) Regulations, 2026 were notified after approval from the Gujarat Government. The regulations replace the earlier 2015 framework and apply to persons seeking permission for ship recycling activities as well as existing permission holders in Gujarat.
Plot Permission Extended to 15 Years
Under the new regulations, permission to utilise a ship recycling plot is valid for 15 years from the date of issuance of the permission letter. Renewal can be considered subsequently in accordance with the prescribed provisions and government approval.
The longer permission period is intended to provide greater certainty to recycling businesses for planning investments, infrastructure and compliance-related improvements.
Easier Plot Mergers and Adjustments
The 2026 regulations also provide a framework for the adjustment, re-adjustment, alignment, re-alignment, merger and shifting of eligible ship recycling plots.
The Gujarat Maritime Board can consider such changes based on technical, safety, environmental and other relevant factors recorded under the regulations.
The provisions are intended to provide greater flexibility in the use and configuration of eligible plots while retaining regulatory oversight.
Changes in Ownership and Transfers
The new framework also provides procedures relating to transfers connected with ship recycling plots and permissions.
The changes are part of a broader effort to simplify procedural requirements for the industry while keeping plot utilisation subject to the applicable laws, regulations and conditions.
Alang-Sosiya Remains India’s Main Ship Recycling Hub
The Alang-Sosiya Ship Recycling Yard in Gujarat remains the country’s largest ship recycling cluster. According to the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, it handles about 98% of India’s ship recycling activity and has 128 operational plots with a recycling capacity of around 4.5 million LDT per year. More than 8,900 ships have been recycled at the yard since its establishment.
The Centre has also said that a master plan has been prepared to increase the yard’s capacity from 4.5 million LDT to 9 million LDT annually through phased development.
Policy Changes Come Amid Industry Modernisation
The regulatory changes come as India strengthens its ship recycling framework following the entry into force of the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships in June 2025.
India’s ship recycling framework includes the Recycling of Ships Act, 2019, the Recycling of Ships Rules, 2021 and the Recycling of Ships Regulations, 2026. The Alang-Sosiya yards have also undergone infrastructure and compliance upgrades aimed at improving environmental safeguards, worker safety and recycling standards.
115 Alang ship recycling plots have achieved compliance with the Hong Kong Convention, while financial assistance of ₹53.5 crore has been released to Indian ship recycling yards under the Ferrous Scrap Development Fund.
The new Gujarat Maritime Board regulations therefore form part of the wider effort to combine easier business processes with regulatory oversight as Alang-Sosiya expands its role in India’s ship recycling industry.
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