TaxTMI 
TaxTMI 
A Introduction to India’s Ship-Breaking Industry (Alang, Gujarat) In Context of the Hong Kong Convention & the Role of MOEFCC.
X X X X Extracts X X X X
X X X X Extracts X X X X
.... Introduction to India’s Ship-Breaking Industry (Alang, Gujarat) In Context of the Hong Kong Convention & the Role of MOEFCC.<br>By: - YAGAY andSUN<br>Environmental Law<br>Dated:- 25-4-2025<br>Here's a clear and concise introduction to India's Ship-Breaking Industry (specifically at Alang, Gujarat) in the context of the Hong Kong Convention and the role of MOEFCC (Ministry of Environment, Fo....
X X X X Extracts X X X X
X X X X Extracts X X X X
....rest and Climate Change): 🔹 Overview of Alang - World's Largest Ship-Breaking Yard Located on the western coast of India in Bhavnagar district, Gujarat, Alang is home to the world's largest ship-breaking yard, covering more than 10 km of coastline along the Gulf of Khambhat. Since its establishment in the 1980s, Alang has become the global hub for end-of-life ships, dismantling hund....
X X X X Extracts X X X X
X X X X Extracts X X X X
....reds of vessels annually and recycling millions of tons of steel and other materials. 🔹 Economic and Strategic Significance * Contributes 30-35% of India's demand for scrap steel. * Provides direct employment to over 30,000 workers, many of whom are migrants. * Indirect employment to thousands through downstream industries. * Plays a critical role in the circular economy, recoveri....
X X X X Extracts X X X X
X X X X Extracts X X X X
....ng valuable materials like copper, aluminum, and machinery. 🔹 Environmental and Safety Challenges While Alang contributes significantly to resource recovery, the traditional "beaching" method of dismantling ships has drawn criticism due to: * Toxic waste release: asbestos, heavy metals, PCBs, and oil residues. * Poor worker safety and health conditions. * Environmental damage to th....
X X X X Extracts X X X X
X X X X Extracts X X X X
....e coastal ecosystem (intertidal zones, mangroves, and marine life). ⚖️ Hong Kong Convention & India's Compliance 🛳️ The Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships (2009) The HKC, adopted by the IMO, sets international standards to: * Ensure safe and environmentally sound ship recycling. * Mandate ships to carry an....
X X X X Extracts X X X X
X X X X Extracts X X X X
.... Inventory of Hazardous Materials (IHM). * Certify and monitor recycling yards for environmental and safety compliance. ✅ India's Position India became the first South Asian country to ratify the Hong Kong Convention in November 2019, demonstrating a significant policy shift toward global compliance and sustainable ship recycling. To operationalize HKC standards, the Government of India....
X X X X Extracts X X X X
X X X X Extracts X X X X
.... enacted: 📜 The Recycling of Ships Act, 2019 Key features: * Brings India's ship recycling in alignment with the HKC. * Requires ships to carry IHM. * Mandates authorization and regulation of ship recycling facilities. * Empowers designated authorities to monitor and enforce compliance. 🌿 Role of MOEFCC (Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change) The MOEFCC is ....
X X X X Extracts X X X X
X X X X Extracts X X X X
....a key regulatory body in ensuring that environmental norms are followed during ship recycling. Its responsibilities include: * Granting Environmental Clearances (ECs) to ship-breaking yards. * Monitoring compliance with the Environmental Protection Act, 1986. * Enforcing guidelines under the Hazardous and Other Wastes (Management and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2016. * Collaborating wit....
X X X X Extracts X X X X
X X X X Extracts X X X X
....h the Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB) for local monitoring. ✅ Progress toward Green Ship Recycling at Alang * Over 90 yards at Alang have received HKC-compliant certification. * Many yards are also certified under ISO 9001 (Quality), ISO 14001 (Environment), and ISO 45001 (Occupational Health & Safety). * Development of Common Hazardous Waste Treatment Storage and Disposal Faci....
X X X X Extracts X X X X
X X X X Extracts X X X X
....lity (TSDF) near Alang. * Adoption of non-beaching methods in select yards, including use of semi-dry docks and cranes. 🧭 Conclusion India's Alang ship-breaking yard is transitioning from a traditionally polluting industry to a global model of sustainable ship recycling, thanks to the enforcement of the Hong Kong Convention and regulatory oversight from MOEFCC. With continued investme....
X X X X Extracts X X X X
X X X X Extracts X X X X
....nt, policy support, and stakeholder collaboration, Alang is poised to lead in green ship recycling, balancing economic growth with environmental and human health protection. ***<br> Scholarly articles for knowledge sharing by authors, experts, professionals ....