India became the world’s leading ship recycling nation in 2025, achieving a key target under the Maritime India Vision (MIV) 2030 well ahead of schedule, according to a United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) report cited by the Shipping Ministry on Monday (June 22, 2026).
The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) said that according to the latest report by the UNCTAD, India increased its share of global ship recycling activity to 35.4% in 2025 from 30.1% in 2024.
The country recycled 2.99 million gross tonnes (GT) of ships in the year, marking a nearly 60% increase from 1.86 million GT in 2024.
The achievement reflects the impact of a series of maritime policy reforms and ease-of-doing-business initiatives undertaken by the government to strengthen the sector, it said.
Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal said India’s emergence as the world’s top ship recycling nation demonstrates the success of sustained policy reforms, industry participation, and adherence to international environmental and safety standards.
“India’s emergence as the world’s top ship recycling nation reflects the success of sustained policy reforms, industry efforts and adherence to international environmental and safety standards under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” Sonowal said.
