Alang, Gujarat, one of the world’s largest ship-breaking yards, is showing signs of modest recovery after years of decline. Official data indicates a 13% increase in ship arrivals from April to August 2025, with 44 end-of-life vessels beached for dismantling. This marks an improvement over last year’s 39 ships, with July recording 12 arrivals—its highest monthly total yet.
This recovery provides a glimmer of hope for an industry that had seen a dramatic downturn, especially since Alang dismantled a peak of 415 ships in 2011–12. In stark contrast, only 113 ships arrived last year, the lowest figure in over two decades. Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently praised Alang’s role in job creation and the circular economy; however, operators face ongoing challenges. One ship-breaker noted that their yards are operating at just 25-30% capacity due to low ship arrivals.
Experts attribute the sluggish supply of end-of-life vessels to robust freight markets, as shipowners often retain older vessels while freight rates are profitable. Additionally, high compliance costs associated with environmental regulations hinder Alang’s competitiveness. Nevertheless, government support through customs duties, reduced plot rents, and subsidies for compliance has been significant.
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