New Delhi, March 12 -- India is rapidly expanding its ship recycling sector and upgrading shipbreaking yards to meet European environmental standards, as part of a broader effort to strengthen its maritime industry and reduce logistics costs, according to Sushant Kumar Purohit, Chairperson of VO Chidambaranar Port Authority in Tamil Nadu's Thoothukudi.

"Ship recycling is happening in Gujarat now, and it is currently one of the largest globally. However, European shipowners cannot send their vessels to India or Bangladesh unless the yards comply with European standards. That is why more shipbreaking yards are being upgraded to be Euro-compliant," Purohit said.

The official said that "There is strong government support, and within the nex...