The shipbreaking industry in India is seeing a notable increase activity, particularly involving tankers subject to U.S. sanctions. Recent reports from Bloomberg detail how three tankers under these sanctions have arrived at Indian shipbreaking yards within a month, signaling a robust start to the year for a sector that has previously struggled. These developments reflect a shift in the shipping industry as tankers from the so-called 'shadow fleet' are increasingly directed towards Indian shores for dismantling.

Among the notable arrivals is the tanker 'Woodchip', a Suezmax vessel built in 1993, which reached the western Indian coast in late last week. According to shipping agents, tracking data, and anonymous sources, this vessel was previously blacklisted by the U.S. under a different name back in 2021. Its arrival at the Alang shipbreaking yard marks it as the oldest sanctioned supertanker to reach this destination, illustrating a trend where older, sanctioned vessels are being decommissioned in India.

This sudden influx of sanctioned tankers represents a significant change in the dynamics of international shipbreaking as India continues to attract these vessels, which have become increasingly difficult to dismantle in their country of origin due to regulatory pressures. The trend poses questions regarding the implications for international maritime law and the enforcement of sanctions, as well as the economic impact on India's shipbreaking industry which is striving to remain competitive in the global market while navigating the complexities of these regulations.