If someone tells you that you can purchase furniture such as sofas, beds, chairs, dining tables, as well as steel kitchenware, air conditioners, wooden doors, windows, lighting fixtures, and even decorative items that were used in hotels, it might seem incredible. However, there is a place in India where all this becomes a reality. This place is called Alang, located in the Bhavnagar district of Gujarat state. It is considered the world's largest ship recycling center, not only in India but globally.
What is extracted from ships?
Many mistakenly believe that only scrap metal is extracted from old ships, but this is not the case. A large ship is essentially a mobile building or hotel. Inside such vessels are bedrooms, dining halls, offices, kitchens, storage areas, and all necessary living infrastructure. Consequently, a significant amount of useful material is extracted during their dismantling.
These materials include sturdy sofas, beds, chairs, dining tables, cabinets, teak, doors, windows, steel tableware, air conditioners, refrigerators, washing machines, fans, lighting, electrical connections, carpets, curtains, stairs, pipes, mechanisms, and many other items. Items of furniture recovered from foreign cruise liners are particularly valued because they possess high quality and durability. This is why people travel to Alang from afar to purchase such goods.
Reasons for the low cost of goods
The question arises for many as to why goods worth millions of rupees are sold for thousands of rupees. The main reason is that the ship owners are not aiming to profit from the old furniture. Their primary goal is to safely dismantle the vessel and prepare the steel and other metals inside for recycling.
If the furniture and other items extracted from the ship were stored for a long time in warehouses, storage and maintenance costs would increase. Therefore, they are sold quickly and at a reduced price. Another reason is that these goods have been used before. Although their quality remains quite high, the price decreases because they are second-hand items. This is why durable and long-lasting goods extracted from ships are available on the market significantly cheaper than new ones.
Who buys these goods?
Every day, traders arrive in Alang from all over the country. Here, representatives from the hospitality industry, restaurants, resorts, farms, offices, warehouses, and interior design specialists purchase large volumes of goods. Additionally, ordinary citizens also buy furniture, wood, tableware, and decorative items here. Sellers note that many clients specifically look for goods extracted from foreign ships, believing that furniture used on international vessels is more robust and durable.
Before sale, the goods are thoroughly inspected, cleaned and repaired if necessary, and then put on the market. Furniture, tableware, and other items extracted from ships are inexpensive because, instead of being thrown away, they are brought to the market for reuse. Alang, Gujarat state, is the main hub of this process, where old ships arrive from all over the world. Here, ships are dismantled using a scientific method, useful items are separated, and then put on the market in a renewed form.
Global leader in ship recycling
Alang has not only made India the world's largest ship recycling nation but has also provided employment to thousands of people, increased government revenue, and contributed to environmental protection, strengthening India's global reputation. This is why Alang is now referred to not just as a ship dismantling yard, but as the world's largest resource revitalization industry.
According to an ANI report, India recently achieved a major success in the field of ship recycling. India met the goal set under the Maritime Vision 2030 five years ahead of schedule. The ship recycling yard in Alang, Gujarat, played a key role in this achievement. Today, India is the world's largest ship recycling country with a global share of 35.4 percent.
According to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the ship recycling sector in India showed a 60 percent growth in 2025. Moreover, India's ship recycling capacity increased from 18.6 thousand tons to 29.9 thousand tons. This means that India can now safely recycle many more old ships than before.
Features of Alang
Alang, located on the Arabian Sea coast in the Bhavnagar district, Gujarat state, has served as the final destination for old ships from around the world for decades. The coastline here allows large vessels to be easily brought ashore. Because of this, many shipping companies from different countries send their old and decommissioned ships here.
Today, 115 ship recycling yards operate in Alang. Hundreds of ships are dismantled annually using a scientific method. First, fuel and hazardous substances are safely removed from the ship. Then, steel, machinery, pipes, furniture, wood, electrical equipment, cables, and other useful items for reuse are separated.
Scale of business in Alang
Alang is not just a place for ship dismantling; it is one of India's largest industrial centers. At full capacity, the annual turnover reaches about 10,000 crore rupees. Furthermore, this sector generates an annual income of approximately 1,500–1,600 crore rupees for the government.
In addition, there are other industries related to ship recycling. Extracted steel goes to steel mills, wood is used in the furniture industry, and machinery and equipment are resold. This strengthens the economy of the entire region.
Job creation
The main strength of Alang is employment. Directly in the ship recycling industry, 15,000–20,000 people work. In addition, within a radius of about 10 kilometers around Alang, thousands of small traders purchase goods from the ships and give them a new form. Some sell wood, some repair furniture, some fix machinery, and some decorate old items and put them up for sale again. Thus, this industry has become a pillar of life for millions of people.
Entrepreneurs associated with Alang believe that this is not just recycling, but the revival of things. They argue that it is reincarnation. Practically every useful item extracted from ships is reused. This is why the waste generated here is less than 0.05 percent. In other words, almost every part of the ship finds a use in some form.
Environmental and safety care
Previously, ship dismantling was considered a polluting industry, but the situation has changed significantly. India has the Ship Recycling Act of 2019. It mandates strict adherence to rules concerning worker safety and environmental protection during ship dismantling.
Furthermore, India complies with the Hong Kong International Convention for the Maritime Industry. The government has invested about 53.5 crore rupees in modernizing Alang. This has allowed for the implementation of modern equipment, improved safety systems, and the creation of environmentally friendly conditions. As a result, Alang has been recognized as one of the safest ship recycling centers in the world.
Inflow of ships from Europe
Thanks to improved safety conditions and compliance with international standards, old ships from many European countries are now also sent to Alang. Previously, many foreign companies hesitated to come to India, but the situation has changed. Alang's modern system has gained the trust of foreign companies. Today, ships from various parts of the globe arrive here for recycling.
Workers in Alang are provided with good conditions: the company provides accommodation and food, pays salaries on time, and offers about 40 days of paid leave per year. Workers are also given bonuses and other benefits. This is why the livelihoods of thousands of families are tied to this industry.
Today, Alang is not just a symbol of Gujarat or India, but a name known worldwide. By applying eco-friendly and safe ship recycling technologies, India has shown the world that old ships can also be reused while caring for the environment. This is why India has become the world's largest ship recycling country with a global share of 35.4 percent.
