After the government of India allowed a few enterprises to commence operations in non-COVID-19 hotspots from April 20, many ship recyclers have restarted activities at Alang, Gujarat with limited workforce. Dismantling of blocks as well as cutting and fabrication work in secondary and tertiary zones have been allowed by authorities. Over 100 shipbreaking companies had applied for permissions to commence work by following requisite norms.
Ship recycling activities at the largest shipbreaking yard in India had come to a halt after the government of India announced a nation-wide lockdown to contain the spread of COVID-19. Ships were not allowed to beach at Alang and asked to halt before the port limits. No-objection certificates to dock at ports were also now being issued.
India, Pakistan and Bangladesh together contribute around 80pc of the global shipbreaking output. Amid lockdowns, activities in these three countries had come to a standstill. Bangladesh is likely to resume shipbreaking at Chattogram in the coming weeks while operations at Gadani in Pakistan could restart from April 25.