Wednesday, 07 October 2026, 02:34:52 AM
Recyclers raise offers as owners hang on to old ships
Nayeem Noor via Wikimedia Shipowners are holding on to old ships that, in normal markets, would have been sold by now for recycling at yards in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. But eye-watering charter rates mean that even old vessels can yield spectacular returns for fearless owners.

Recyclers raise offers as owners hang on to old ships

Analysts report that the astonishing charter markets prevailing over recent months have led to a shortage of recycling candidates at repair yards on the Indian subcontinent and are forcing up scrap prices. Indicative prices in Bangladesh and Pakistan are back in the $500s following a prolonged spell in the $400s.    Yards in both Bangladesh and Pakistan are paying indicative prices of $540-$530 for container ships, $530-$520 for tankers, and $510-$500 for bulk carriers, according to figures released by GMS, the world’s largest buyer of end-of-life ships.    Indicative prices in India, meanwhile, show that yards in Alang are typically paying $495 for containers, $485 for tankers, and $465 for bulkers – still up on recent levels but behind its neighbours.   

However, GMS noted that Indian yards still lead in the recycling of more complex ships including LNGs, reefers, passenger ships, non-ferrous-rich vessels, and compliance-sensitive units. These ships, GMS said, operate under different valuation procedures.

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