Beaching of vessels at Alang shipbreaking yard post lockdown is increasing gradually, and around 40pc of vessels are being scrapped in India at Alang. Out of 53,000 merchant ships globally 1,000 are recycled every year and 400 of them are recycled at Alang which is 40pc of the global recycling.
Recently the first gigantic ship INS Viraat beached at Gujarat for dismantling as Alang is blessed with natural opportunities with tides of 10-12 meters and India aspires to raise its share in global recycling business to at least 50pc, said Union minister Mansukh Mandaviya.
The minister has also informed that COVID-19 lockdown had a lesser impact on operations at Alang due to various initiatives taken by the government and as majority of the migrant workers (around 25,000) preferred to stay at Alang during the lockdown.
During the lockdown period 40-50 vessels came to Alang for recycling and even some more of them are expected to beach shortly in 2020-21.
Annually, Indian recycles 7mn mt of ships, Bangladesh recycles 6.8mn mt, Pakistan 3.7mn mt, while China recycles 3.4mn mt.
Post enactment of the Recycle Act, India eyes to grab 50pc of the global share as many countries will be sending ships for green recycling. Many yards in Alang are obtaining statement of compliance in accordance with the Hong Kong Convention as now European and other advanced nations are sending their ships for recycling to Alang.