Indian government held a high-level meeting with shipping agents to address the COVID-19 outbreak and the effect on crew arrivals at Alang anchorage. The Indian government has barred the entry of all vessels arriving from South Korea, Japan, Italy, Iran and China with immediate effect to avoid the spreading of coronavirus, according to the Davis Index sources.
With these restrictions, the ship demolition industry in India will be disrupted. Every ships arriving for recycling will have to been screened and cleared by port health authorities delaying the demolition activity. Vessels arriving from other countries will be also be examined by the health department at Alang anchorage, once cleared, the vessels can proceed for inward clearance. This move is likely to impact the market and hurt the ship breaking industry, locally.
Despite the threat of COVID-19, ship recyclers held the annual Tradewinds Ship Recycling Forum in London. Recyclers discussed the EU Commission guidelines and the recently passed Ship Recycling 2019 Bill in India. The forum emphasised continued developments and improvements of recycling yards.