India is seeking to improve its global reputation as one of the world’s top ship dismantling nations by upgrading its safety and environmental track records. They have just passed the Recycling of Ships Bill, 2019. The new act restricts and prohibits the use or installation of hazardous materials, which applies irrespective of whether a ship is meant for recycling or not. For new ships, the prohibition on the use of hazardous materials will be immediate, while existing ships shall have a period of five years for compliance. The restriction would not be applied to warships and non-commercial ships operated by the government.
