The European Ship Recycling Regulation (SRR) that came into force at the end of last year requires that all large vessels sailing under the flag of a European Union member state be recycled at one of its 26 approved shipbreakers' yards, which are mainly within the EU.

Although three yards in India — Shree Ram Vessel Scrap, Priya Blue Industries and JRD Industries — have applied to join the EU’s list of approved yards, they have yet to be sanctioned by the European Commission, which is tasked with certifying yards outside of the EU.