HKC and the Worker’s Voice, Episode 2: EUSRR, Fair Recognition and Worker-Centred Ship Recycling in Alang

In this episode of GMS Podcasts, Dr. Anand Hiremath, CEO of the Sustainable Ship and Offshore Recycling Program, continues his conversation with Mr. Vidhyadhar Rane, General Secretary of the Alang Sosiya Ship Recycling & General Workers Association, on the Hong Kong Convention, EUSRR and the future of worker-centred ship recycling in Alang.

The discussion looks at the EU Ship Recycling Regulation from the worker’s perspective. Mr. Rane explains that workers support high standards, stronger safety systems, environmental protection, better training and responsible recycling. At the same time, he raises concern that Indian ship recycling yards, especially in Alang, have made major progress but have not been approved under the EU list.

Alang is not only an industrial location. It supports a large workforce and a wider local economy. More than 50,000 direct and indirect workers depend on ship recycling in Alang, including yard workers, transport workers, re-rolling mill workers, scrap handlers, service providers, small businesses and families.

The episode also explains why the Hong Kong Convention is seen as a practical global framework for safe and environmentally sound ship recycling. HKC creates responsibilities for shipowners, recycling yards, flag States, recycling States and other stakeholders. It allows improvement to take place where ship recycling is actually happening, while supporting worker safety, training, environmental controls and welfare.

With more than 110 HKC-compliant yards in Alang, the conversation highlights how the industry has changed through investment in infrastructure, impermeable flooring, drainage systems, equipment, documentation, emergency preparedness, hazardous material handling and worker training.

A key focus of this episode is how HKC can keep evolving for workers. The discussion covers stronger worker participation in yard-level safety meetings, practical training, local-language communication, visual demonstrations, refresher training, better communication between workers and supervisors, and greater recognition of ship recycling workers’ skills.

This episode is useful for shipowners, recyclers, cash buyers, regulators, maritime lawyers, sustainability professionals, ESG teams, compliance officers, unions, circular economy stakeholders and anyone following HKC implementation, EUSRR, Indian ship recycling yards, Alang workers and responsible ship recycling in India.

Topics discussed in this episode

• What EUSRR means from a worker perspective
• Why workers support high standards in ship recycling
• The impact of non-approval of Indian yards under the EU list
• Why fair recognition matters for HKC-compliant yards in Alang
• How more than 110 HKC-compliant yards have changed India’s ship recycling industry
• The role of more than 50,000 direct and indirect workers in Alang’s recycling ecosystem
• Why HKC is seen as a practical global framework for responsible ship recycling
• How worker participation can improve yard-level safety discussions
• The importance of local-language and visual safety training
• Why refresher training helps strengthen safety awareness
• The role of supervisors in improving communication and safety outcomes
• Recognition of ship recycling workers’ skills, dignity and contribution
• How responsible ship recycling supports steel recovery and the circular economy
• The future of Alang under HKC implementation