India has introduced additional checks on documentation for vessels heading to recycling yards, a move industry players say could make it harder for sanctioned ships to slip through with falsified paperwork. The new process, introduced by the Directorate General of Maritime Administration, adds another layer of scrutiny before end-of-life vessels are cleared for recycling. Dubai-based cash buyer Wirana Shipping said the tighter oversight could help curb the growing use of fake documentation linked to the so-called dark fleet — ships that often operate under opaque ownership structures and questionable registries. According to data from the International Maritime Organization, at least 529 vessels have been identified as operating with false, fraudulent or misused registration documents. Wirana chief executive Rakesh Khetan said the problem has become more visible as older sanctioned ships look for end-of-life options. “We are seeing sanctioned ships making their way to recycling facilities in Alang with fake or altered documentation,” Khetan said. “Additional checks on incoming vessels will make it harder for those ships to pass through.” India’s yards — particularly the world’s largest shipbreaking hub at Alang — remain a key destination for vessels reaching the end of their operational life. While Indian banks generally refuse to process payments linked to sanctioned vessels, there is currently no specific regulation banning such ships from being recycled in the country. Industry players warn that the presence of sanctioned tonnage can distort the recycling market. Ships tied to sanctions are often sold at steep discounts, making it difficult for recyclers buying compliant vessels to compete. Khetan warned that if the practice continues unchecked it could undermine legitimate recycling operations in Alang, where yards that follow strict compliance standards face unfair competition. The additional document checks are expected to filter out vessels arriving with falsified papers, though industry sources say loopholes could still remain if sanctioned ships obtain backing from compliant flag states or insurers. India continues to play a central role in the global ship recycling market thanks to its established infrastructure and experienced yards. The issue also comes as the global recycling sector faces mounting pressure to expand capacity. According to estimates from GMS, the world’s largest cash buyer of ships for recycling, based on BIMCO data, around 15,000 vessels could be scrapped by 2032. The company has also urged the European Union to recognise Indian yards under its approved recycling list, arguing that more than 110 facilities in India already comply with the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships but none have been approved by Brussels despite inspections and applications over the past decade. googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1_95_0_1_2'); }); TagsIndia Shipbreaking