ASRY and India-based Priya Blue Group have officially launched their joint ship recycling initiative following the arrival of the first ship destined for dismantling at the shipyard in the Gulf. This move further strengthens Bahrain's position in the global ship recycling market.

Under the partnership, ASRY's repair and manufacturing infrastructure in Bahrain has been combined with Priya Blue's long-standing recycling experience in Alang, India. The companies describe the resulting structure as the largest ship recycling facility in the Middle East.

The new facility will also undertake the recycling of commercial vessels, as well as FPSOs, FSOs, offshore platforms, and other offshore structures. It has been stated that the operation will work using dry dock, slipway, and berthing methods, and has the capacity to process vessels up to the ULCC class.

The companies announced that the facility will operate in accordance with the standards of the Hong Kong Convention and the EU Ship Recycling Regulation. It was expressed that the facility particularly targets ship owners seeking environmentally and legislatively compliant recycling solutions in the Gulf region.

The first ship sent for recycling has arrived at the Bahrain shipyard. However, the companies did not share information regarding the identity of the ship.

Best Oasis, a subsidiary of Priya Blue, will support the project by managing the procurement and commercial purchasing processes for the ships to be directed to Bahrain.

This initiative is noteworthy as it marks the first comprehensive operation established by a large-scale Indian ship recycling company outside South Asia. Additionally, this step reflects the increasing demand from ship owners for recycling solutions that are closer to major maritime trade centers and compliant with environmental standards.

Priya Blue characterized the project in a social media post as 'a conscious expansion of a proven operation rather than an experimental initiative.'

The largest ship recycling facility in the Middle East is operational. The facility in Bahrain will integrate ship recycling, hazardous waste management, and environmental management systems under one roof. It has been noted that ASRY holds licenses for the processing and disposal of naturally occurring radioactive material waste, emphasizing that this capability has become increasingly critical, particularly for offshore units and aging production facilities.

The companies also stated that the partnership will provide integrated support in areas such as safety management, regulatory compliance, heavy lifting infrastructure, and dry dock access.

Priya Blue is known as one of India's leading environmentally friendly recycling companies. The company claims to have recycled over 60 vessels to date, ranging from drilling ships to ultra-large commercial vessels. Among the past clients of the Alang-based group are Stolt Tankers, Transocean, NYK Line, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, and K Line.

On the other hand, ASRY is positioning itself as a regional hub for responsible ship recycling by completing certification processes for the Hong Kong Convention, EU Ship Recycling Regulation, and ISO 30000 standards in collaboration with the Dutch Elegant Exit Company.

This initiative is also seen as part of the goal to create a circular maritime and steel recycling ecosystem in Bahrain. In 2024, ASRY signed a memorandum of understanding with Maersk, APM Terminals, and the Bahraini steel producer SULB Company to evaluate government-supported ship recycling projects.

Source: SeaNews Türkiye