The association strives to promote the exchange of knowledge, experience, ideas, novelties and training programs. I.S.R.A. will also promote worldwide ship dismantling at a high environmentally sound and technical level. The members agree to have their yards certified to the latest standards.  I.S.R.A. will also pursue the membership of yards in the developing countries. These yards must accept the I.S.R.A. guidelines and be willing to make investments for upgrading their yards to the required level.

The I.S.R.A. will also show alternatives for beaching vessels. The protection of the return of investments for its members will also be looked upon. Another important goal is to change the image of the dismantling industry and make ship recycling more attractive to shipowners.

ship recycling yards have never been involved in international legislation. According to Mrs Liu Guohong, chairman of the I.S.R.A., it is important to handle ship recycling on a global scale. She said, 'With the foundation of the I.S.R. A. we can start to work on the international legislation of this important issue in our industry. As responsible ship recyclers we can join our forces against the dreadful practices of countries that allow beaching methods. We want this organisation to bring a voice to the IMO. We want to show the world, things can be done in a green, high quality way and there can still be return and it is good business.'

Yards that have successfully applied for membership of ISRA include: Chine Jiang Xiajang Changjiang Shiprepair Yard and Zhongxin Ship Recycling & Steel Co. (both from China), OGe Gemi Sokum, Cemas Celik, Leyal Ship Recycling, Adem Simsek & Simsekler Group, Demtas and Dortel Ship Recycling Limited & Co. (all from Turkey), Sparrows Point Shipyard (US) and Scheepsloperij Nederland BV (The Netherlands).