Ship Recycling Market Update | Bangladesh Election Result, Pakistan Leads, India Steel Falls, IRRC Compliance – Week 7 2026

The global ship recycling market saw another shift in Week 7 of 2026 as key fundamentals moved in different directions across the sub-continent. The Baltic Dry Index declined by 0.6 percent, mainly due to weaker Capesize and Panamax performance, while Supramax rates improved. Oil prices held near USD 62.8 per barrel as markets continued to monitor U.S. and Iran tensions.

In this week’s episode, Ingrid and Henning discuss how the U.S. Dollar strengthened against most recycling nation currencies, with India being the exception as the Rupee improved to around INR 90.6. Steel plate prices reversed course in India, falling nearly USD 10 per ton, while Pakistan maintained the strongest fundamentals in the region with plate prices holding near USD 594 per ton.

Bangladesh reached a political milestone as the BNP secured a more than two-thirds majority in the general elections. The result is expected to support long-delayed infrastructure projects and could improve domestic steel demand in the months ahead. The country also adopted the International Ready for Recycling Certificate framework, aligning with regional compliance requirements under the Hong Kong Convention. Steel plate prices in Bangladesh remained flat near USD 494 per ton, while the Taka weakened slightly.

Pakistan continued to lead pricing tables, supported by firm steel levels, stable currency performance near PKR 279.6, and rising anchorage activity totaling nearly 30,000 LDT across multiple bulk carriers. India’s anchorage activity also remained active with more than 47,000 LDT present, despite softer steel prices. Turkey remained quiet, with limited activity in Aliaga and the Lira weakening toward TRY 44.

This episode covers demolition pricing direction, steel and currency movements, port activity in Alang, Chattogram, and Gadani, and the ongoing shortage of recycling candidates. The discussion is intended for shipowners, cash buyers, recyclers, brokers, and maritime professionals following developments in the global demolition market