EU ship recycling regulations are under scrutiny, affecting facilities in Turkey, India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan amid upcoming votes.
The European Union's regulations regarding ship recycling have come back to the forefront of the international maritime sector. As discussions continue about the future of the approval system that determines which facilities can dismantle EU-flagged vessels, it is assessed that the decisions made could have significant impacts on ship recycling facilities in Turkey, India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan.
The EU Ship Recycling Regulation permits the recycling of EU-flagged vessels that have reached the end of their economic life only at facilities approved by the European Commission.
This regulation aims to enhance the safety of workers involved in ship dismantling activities, prevent hazardous waste from harming the environment, and align recycling processes with international standards.
However, the differences between the current EU approval system and the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships, which will come into force on June 26, 2025, remain significant issues on the sector's agenda.
Critical vote for two Indian shipyards on November 4
The European Parliament's Environment Committee will vote on November 4, 2026, regarding the objection to the inclusion of two ship recycling facilities in India on the EU's list of approved facilities.
The facilities in question are Shree Ram Vessel Scrap and YSI Recyclers, operating in the Alang region of India.
If the objection against the European Commission's proposal is rejected, it could pave the way for the approval process of the two Indian facilities by the EU. If approved, these facilities would become the first ship recycling facilities from the Indian subcontinent to enter the EU list.
BIMCO: 16,000 ships will be dismantled in the next 10 years
According to estimates by the International Shipping Council BIMCO, over the next 10 years, more than 16,000 ships with a total carrying capacity of approximately 700 million DWT will need to be recycled.
This amount is more than double the number of ships recycled in the previous decade and nearly three times the total carrying capacity.
Industry representatives warn that the current capacity of approved facilities may be insufficient to meet the demand for ship recycling of this magnitude.
10 facilities in Turkey may also be affected by the decision
The updated list released by the European Commission in February 2026 includes a total of 41 approved ship recycling facilities. Of these, 30 are located in Europe, 10 in Turkey, and one in the United States.
The inclusion of the Indian facilities on the list could alter the competitive conditions for Turkey's ship recycling sector concerning EU-flagged vessels.
On the other hand, the geographical location of Turkish facilities, their proximity to the European market, and existing EU approvals continue to provide advantages to the sector.
The sector in Europe has become divided
European ship recycling operators are expressing concerns about the adequacy of environmental protection and occupational safety practices at the facilities in India.
Particularly, the beaching method of ship dismantling, the management of asbestos-containing materials, and the prevention of hazardous waste from contaminating the environment are at the center of discussions.
In contrast, BIMCO, ICS, INTERCARGO, ECSA, and other international maritime organizations argue that facilities determined through inspections to meet EU standards should be approved.
Eight international maritime organizations stated in a joint letter sent to the European Union that excluding facilities that meet the approval criteria could undermine the credibility of the regulations.
All eyes on Brussels in the ship dismantling market
The vote on November 4 will not only affect the future of the two Indian facilities but also how Europe’s ship recycling policy will be implemented.
The decision is significant in terms of which countries shipowners can send their end-of-life vessels to, the revenues generated from ship scrap sales, and the competition among recycling facilities.
The outcome of the vote is still uncertain.
Source: SeaNews Türkiye
