GMS Leadership

The NGO Shipbreaking Platform has once again placed geography at the centre of the ship recycling debate.

At GMS, we believe the industry should be asking a better question:

Should a recycling yard be judged by its location or by its verified compliance, safety standards, environmental performance, audits, and enforcement?

Our latest GMS Commentary responds to the recent joint statement by the NGO Shipbreaking Platform, EUROFER, and Recycling Europe and argues that responsible ship recycling must be built on standards, not blanket exclusions.

With the Hong Kong Convention now in force, the focus should be on serious implementation, transparent enforcement, and recognition of responsible yards wherever they operate.

Postcode is not performance.

Read the full article here: https://www.gmsinc.net/article/ship-recycling-performance-not-geography

Ship Recycling Must Be Judged by Performance, Not Geography | GMS GMS argues that responsible ship recycling should be based on verified compliance, audits, enforcement, and the Hong Kong Convention, not geography-based exclusions or blanket bans.

World Environment Day 2026 | GMS in Alang

On this World Environment Day, GMS conducted an environmental awareness session for yard workers in Alang, reinforcing the importance of protecting our environment through daily responsible actions.

This year’s message became even more meaningful as we looked back at a special moment from World Environment Day 2022. On that day, GMS provided plant saplings to yard workers, encouraging them to plant and care for them. Today, seeing the same worker with the plant he nurtured over the years is a powerful reminder that small actions, when cared for consistently, can grow into lasting impact.

The journey of this sapling reflects our shared responsibility: awareness must turn into action, and action must be sustained with commitment.

At GMS, we believe environmental care begins with people. By engaging yard workers, creating awareness, and encouraging practical steps, we continue to promote a culture of responsibility toward a greener and safer future.

Plant today. Protect tomorrow. Grow together.

The Financial Times has covered an important issue facing the global maritime sector: the growing environmental risk posed by ageing shadow fleet tankers.

The article features GMS CEO Anil Sharma, who warned that many sanctioned oil tankers are operating beyond the age at which vessels would normally be recycled, increasing the risk of pollution, unsafe operations, and a major environmental incident.

This is an issue GMS has been actively working to address.

The recent OFAC approval allowing GMS to recycle four sanctioned vessels marks an important step toward creating a legal, transparent, and compliant pathway for these ships to exit trading circulation and be responsibly recycled.

Sanctioned vessels cannot simply remain idle, uninsured, poorly maintained, or hidden behind complex ownership structures. The industry needs practical solutions that protect the environment, support compliance, and ensure proceeds do not flow back to sanctioned actors.

At GMS, we believe responsible ship recycling has a critical role to play in solving this challenge.

Read the Financial Times article here: https://www.ft.com/content/70da79bb-6efa-42ae-bd68-0071495dda29?syn-25a6b1a6=1

More than half of shadow fleet oil tankers pose environmental disaster risk Ageing sanctioned ships should be scrapped, says leading ship recycler

Sanctioned vessels need a practical route out of the shadows.

A growing number of ageing vessels remain outside normal financial, operational, and recycling channels. Without a clear regulatory process, these ships can create safety, environmental, and compliance risks for the wider maritime sector.

A structured approach can help bring transparency to ownership, payments, crew costs, insurance, and final recycling arrangements.

At GMS, we believe responsible ship recycling must be built on proper legal pathways, clear financial flows, and safe end-of-life vessel management.

Read more here: https://www.tradewindsnews.com/shipyards/gms-eyes-tanker-prize-after-green-light-for-sanctioned-ship-scrapping/2-1-1995032

GMS eyes tanker prize after green light for sanctioned ship scrapping Anil Sharma calls for sanctioned shipowners to hand over a slice of sale proceeds in exchange for US recycling licences

Reuters has covered a recent development involving US approval for the recycling of sanctioned vessels.

This is an important step for the ship recycling industry and for the wider maritime sector. It creates a controlled and compliant route for sanctioned vessels to be removed from trading circulation and recycled responsibly.

The process remains case-specific and subject to regulatory review, but it points to a practical way forward for addressing vessels that may otherwise remain idle, difficult to operate, or outside normal market channels.

At GMS, we remain focused on supporting responsible recycling through proper approvals, compliance, and safe end-of-life vessel management.

Read the Reuters article here: https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/top-recycler-gms-gets-us-approval-scrap-ships-hit-with-sanctions-2026-05-27/

Top recycler GMS gets US approval to scrap ships hit with sanctions Dubai-based GMS has won U.S. government approval to scrap four container ships that were ‌under Iran-related sanctions, potentially paving the way for Washington to reduce the shadow fleet of such vessels, the leading ship recycler's CEO said.

Old ships still have new stories to tell.

Beyond steel, many onboard materials and fittings can be recovered, refurbished, and put back to use, reducing waste while giving everyday items a second life.

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Ship recycling is a powerful example of sustainability in action.
A circular approach for a stronger maritime future.