Ship recycling in India- environmental stock taking

Abstract

The ship recycling industry has grown over the years, and it has become a major source of revenue for some developing states. Grave occupational and environmental problems have been associated with the industry during its growth in such countries. Due to growing occupational and environmental concerns, the International Maritime Organization adopted the Hong Kong Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ship in 2009. This paper examines the existing shipbreaking regime in India, to determine, if the Recycling Act, 2019 contributes anything new to the existing framework, in terms of environmental protection. Even though the Act is a positive step towards making the ship recycling industry greener in India, a lot depends on the regulation and rules that may be developed to complement the Act. Therefore, its long-term benefits to the environment will have to be revisited.