EU Parliament committee opposes approval of Indian ship recycling yards

The two facilities had been proposed for inclusion in the 16th edition of the European List of Ship Recycling Facilities following an assessment by the European Commission. If approved, they would become the first Indian facilities authorized to recycle EU-flagged vessels under the EU Ship Recycling Regulation (EU SRR).

The development follows the Commission’s proposal in July 2026 and the subsequent debate over the facilities’ inclusion.

Concerns over environmental and worker safety

According to NGO Shipbreaking Platform, the objection centers on the use of the beaching method, under which end-of-life vessels are dismantled in intertidal areas.

Opponents argue that this practice is incompatible with EU requirements for preventing pollution and protecting workers from hazardous substances.

The EU Ship Recycling Regulation requires facilities to control leakages and handle hazardous materials and waste on impermeable floors equipped with effective drainage systems.

The NGO also raised concerns about pollution levels in the Alang-Sosiya area, citing environmental monitoring findings involving copper, chromium, cadmium and mercury. It further questioned whether downstream waste management practices meet environmental standards broadly equivalent to those applied in the EU.

The organization maintains that approving facilities using beaching practices could undermine recycling operators that have invested in higher environmental, occupational health and safety standards.

Today’s vote in the European Parliament sends a strong political message to the European Commission. Ignoring the many problems identified at the beaching yards – that even the Commission’s own inspection reports acknowledge and reveal – would counter the Regulation’s objective to ensure the safe and environmentally sound recycling of EU flagged vessels

… said Ingvild Jenssen – Executive Director and Founder – NGO Shipbreaking Platform, adding that the Commission should instead table measures that will ensure the scale-up of capacity for sustainable and safe ship recycling in line with the Union’s industrial policy on circular economy and strategic autonomy.

Shipping industry supports the inclusion

The committee’s position contrasts with that of shipping associations, which have supported the Commission’s proposal to include the two Indian facilities.

As previously reported, eight major shipping organizations called on EU Member States to approve the facilities, arguing that eligibility should be determined by demonstrated compliance with regulatory requirements rather than geographical location.

European Shipowners | ECSA has maintained that both yards underwent extensive inspections and were found to comply with the EU SRR’s environmental and safety requirements.

Shipping organizations have also highlighted the need to expand compliant recycling capacity as more vessels approach the end of their operational lives.

However, NGO Shipbreaking Platform disputes the argument that additional capacity justifies the inclusion of beaching facilities, maintaining that existing approved facilities have sufficient combined capacity to accommodate recent recycling volumes involving EU-flagged and EU-owned vessels.

What happens next?

The committee’s objection is expected to be considered by the European Parliament in a plenary vote toward the end of November 2026.

According to NGO Shipbreaking Platform, the objection does not legally require the Commission to withdraw its proposal. EU Member States will also have a role in determining whether the two Indian facilities are included in the updated European List.

The outcome will be significant for the application of EU ship recycling standards, particularly regarding the assessment of facilities outside Europe and the balance between expanding recycling capacity and maintaining environmental and worker safety requirements.