The Alang–Sosiya Ship Recycling Yard in Gujarat is being positioned as a global benchmark for sustainable maritime practices, as the state prepares to highlight its achievements at the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference for Kutch and Saurashtra in January 2026.

Scheduled to be held in Rajkot from January 10 to 12, the conference will trace Alang’s four-decade evolution as one of the world’s largest and most trusted ship recycling hubs. Developed under the guidance of the Gujarat Maritime Board, Alang today accounts for nearly 32 per cent of global ship recycling, underlining Gujarat’s growing stature in the international maritime sector.

Since operations began, more than 8,800 ships have been recycled at Alang through systematic and environmentally responsible processes. Around 99.95 per cent of materials recovered from ships are reused, reinforcing the yard’s role as a key contributor to the green economy. All hazardous and non-hazardous waste is handled through scientifically approved disposal systems.

Of the 128 operational plots at the facility, 115 are compliant with the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships, which came into force in June 2025. This compliance has positioned Alang as one of the world’s leading green ship recycling centres.

The yard is supported by advanced infrastructure, including a dedicated training institute, a Level-3 multi-specialty trauma hospital for workers, and modern waste management facilities. The Gujarat government has also implemented a comprehensive master plan for Alang, involving an investment of Rs 12.24 billion, aimed at doubling its current recycling capacity from 4.5 million light displacement tonnes.

Despite global economic challenges, Alang recycled 113 ships during 2024–25 and recorded a 13 per cent increase in ship arrivals in the early months of 2025–26, signalling renewed momentum. Building on this trend, the state government has outlined an ambitious vision to recycle 15,000 ships over the next decade and expand capacity to 9 million light displacement tonnes by 2035.

At VGRC 2026, Alang will be showcased not merely as a ship recycling yard but as an integrated maritime industrial cluster, offering opportunities across steel recovery, scrap processing, machinery refurbishment, logistics and allied sectors. Backed by investor-friendly policies, modern port infrastructure and a clear long-term growth roadmap, Gujarat aims to position Alang as a cornerstone of global sustainable ship recycling.