The Role of Bilateral Cooperation in Regulating Ship-Recycling Industry in the Region South Asia

Abstract

The global ship-recycling industry is highly concentrated in South Asia, where India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan collectively account for more than 80% of dismantled vessels worldwide. Despite its economic importance in providing employment and supplying recycled steel and other materials, the industry is widely criticized for hazardous “beaching” practices that expose workers to severe health risks and generate significant environmental pollution. This paper examines the regulatory challenges associated with ship recycling in South Asia and explores the potential role of bilateral cooperation in improving environmental governance and labor protection in the region. Using a doctrinal and comparative legal methodology, the study analyses key international and regional regulatory frameworks, including the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships, the EU Ship Recycling Regulation, and relevant national legislation in India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan. The findings reveal substantial gaps between international standards and on-ground practices due to weak enforcement mechanisms, infrastructural limitations, and fragmented regulatory approaches. The paper argues that strengthened bilateral and regional cooperation can play a crucial role in harmonising regulatory standards, improving compliance with international environmental norms, and promoting sustainable ship-recycling practices. By proposing a cooperative governance framework, the study contributes to ongoing debates on maritime environmental regulation and highlights pathways toward a more sustainable and responsible ship-recycling industry in South Asia.