GoI notifies Directorate General of Shipping as National Authority for Recycling of Ships

On October 15, 2020, Government of India (GoI) notified Directorate General of Shipping as National Authority for Recycling of Ships under Section 3 of the Recycling of Ships Act, 2019. 

As apex body, DG Shipping will administer, supervise and monitor all activities related to recycling of ships. 

Key Points:

i.DG Shipping will be the final authority for approvals required by ship-recycling yard owners and State Governments.

ii.It will be responsible for the sustainable development of the ship recycling industry, monitoring of compliances with environment-friendly norms. 

iii.DG Shipping represents India in International Maritime Organization (IMO) and all other conventions of IMO.

National Authority of Ship Recycling:

National Authority of Ship Recycling will be set up in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.

Note: –

The location of the National Authority of Ship Recycling will greatly benefit ship recycling yard owners in Alang, Gujarat, as it is home to Asia’s largest ship breaking and ship recycling industry in the world.

India’s Vision for Ship Recycling:

i.India is looking to double its contribution from ship recycling to Country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to USD 2 Billion after enactment of Ship Recycling Act in December, 2019. 

ii.It is aiming to increase direct jobs in the recycling sector to about 90, 000. 

iii.At present, India is recycling 70 Lakh Gross Tonnage of Ships per annum. 

Ship Recycling Act, 2019:

i.As per Ship Recycling Act, 2019 India has accepted to follow Hong Kong Convention for Ship Recycling under International Maritime Organization (IMO). 

ii.With the enactment of Ship Recycling Act, 2019, India set global standards for safe and sound environment-friendly recycling of ships, and ensured safety of yard workers. 

Recent Related News:

i.On September 10, 2020 Mansukh Laxmanbhai(L.) Mandaviya, Union Minister of State for Shipping (I/C) launched a dispute resolution mechanism, ‘SAROD-Ports’ (Society for Affordable Redressal of Disputes – Ports) through virtual ceremony in New Delhi, India.

ii.On 20th August, 2020, A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Ministry of Shipping (MoS) and Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship(MSDE) for skilling, re-skilling and upskilling of manpower in Port, Maritime sectors.

About Ministry of Shipping:
Directorate General of Shipping is an attached office under the Ministry of Shipping
Minister of State (MoS) (Independent Charge) – Mansukh Mandaviya
Headquarters – New Delhi