Amendment to Recycling of Ships Act: Competent Authorities Designated

The Recycling of Ships Act, 2019 (49 of 2019) is an important legislative framework designed to regulate and encourage safe, environmentally sound recycling of ships in India. A substantial update has been made under Section 4 of the Act, which focuses on the proper appointment of skilled authorities to oversee the process of recycling of ships in each State or Union Territory.

As per the revised guidelines, the Maritime Board of each concerned State or Union Territory will be appointed as the Competent Authority responsible for supervising the ship recycling activities within its jurisdiction. In the absence of the Maritime Board, the relevant department accountable for ship recycling matters shall take on this role. These authorities will be tasked with ensuring compliance with the provisions specified in Rule 4 of the Recycling of Ships Rules, 2021. This rule controls the administrative and regulatory processes related with ship recycling, including compliance to safety and environmental standards.

The designated authorities will be responsible for ensuring that ship recycling methods meet regulatory requirements, safeguarding both environmental protection and worker safety.

This amendment represents a significant step towards decentralizing the governance over ship recycling activities, empowering each State or Union Territory with a designated body to regulate and oversee these operations within their boundaries. It improves local responsiveness and strengthens India’s ability to manage ship recycling in a sustainable and compliant manner. By engaging regional authorities, the law aims to simplify administrative processes, mitigate delays, and ensure that ship recycling methods comply with environmental and safety standards.