SHIPBREAKING

A DIRTY AND DANGEROUS INDUSTRY

SHIPBREAKING

A DIRTY AND DANGEROUS INDUSTRY

SHIPBREAKING

A DIRTY AND DANGEROUS INDUSTRY

Scroll Down
NGO_Shipbreaking

The NGO Shipbreaking Platform is a global coalition of organisations working to reverse the environmental harm and human rights abuses caused by current shipbreaking practices and to ensure the safe and environmentally sound dismantling of end-of-life ships worldwide.

Just as the goods they transport, ships too become waste when they reach the end of their operational lives. Yet only a fraction is handled in a safe and clean manner. The vast majority of the world's end-of-life fleet, full of toxic substances, is simply broken down - by hand - on the beaches of South Asia. There, unscrupulous shipping companies exploit minimal enforcement of environmental and safety rules to maximise profits.

Ship owners from East Asia and Europe top the list of dumpers that sell ships for breaking on South Asian beaches.

In Bangladesh, India and Pakistan ships are broken apart directly on the beach instead of in an industrial site: a practice known as "beaching".

 

Since 2009:

 

8221
SHIPS BEACHED
470
DEATHS
512
INJURIES
ISSUES OF INTEREST
WHY SHIPS ARE TOXIC
FLAGS OF CONVENIENCE
CHILD LABOUR
CLEAN AND SAFE SOLUTIONS

SPOTLIGHT

The Toxic Tide – 2024 Shipbreaking Records

2024 shipbreaking records: most shipping companies continue to opt for the highest price at the worst scrapping yards.

... Read More

Ship recycling in Aliağa under the spotlight

NGOs call on Turkey and the EU to bring needed change and transition the sector towards dry docks.

... Read More

Bangladesh: shipping firms profit from labour abuse

A new report released by Human Rights Watch and the NGO Shipbreaking Platform uncovers the human and environmental costs of shipbreaking in Bangladesh.

... Read More

Where ships go to die – Winner of the Public Eye Investigation Award

Decommissioned deep-sea vessels are floating toxic waste. Their disposal is laborious and costly, and regarded as a menace by those who want to protect both the workers… Read More

Newsroom

Brussels, Mar 31st 2025

Press Release – Stop South Korea’s toxic ship dumping

In the last six months only, MSC scrapped 9 ships on the beach of Alang in India – 27 in the last two years,

... Read More
Brussels, Mar 25th 2025

Platform News – EU must take action to end dumping of toxic ships and support capacity building

The European Commission published its evaluation of the EU Ship Recycling Regulation (EU SRR) earlier this month. The evaluation clearly identifies several issues that hinder the effectiveness… Read More

Brussels, Feb 03rd 2025

Press Release – Platform publishes list of ships dismantled worldwide in 2024

409 ships were dismantled globally in 2024, of which 255 ended up in South Asian yards. Bangladesh remains the shipping industry’s first choice for scrapping, despite grave consequences for workers, local communities and fragile coastal ecosystems.

... Read More
Brussels, Jan 31st 2025

Platform News – Turkish Civil Society Organisations take legal action to ensure Environmental Impact Assessment of the ship recycling sector in Aliağa

On 10 January 2024 a coalition of organisations, including Aegean Environment and Culture Platform (EGEÇEP), İzmir Bar Association, TMMOB Chamber of Architects, İzmir Medical Chamber, and eight… Read More

Brussels, Jan 28th 2025

Platform publishes South Asia Quarterly Update #40

Seven workers suffered an accident on South Asian beaches in the last quarter of 2024.

... Read More
Ankara, Dec 12th 2024

Platform News – Authorities and industry discuss ship recycling in Turkey at NGO Shipbreaking Platform and IMPEL workshop

Following the publication of a report on the Turkish ship recycling sector in Aliağa, the NGO Shipbreaking Platform and the European Union Network for the Implementation and… Read More

Brussels, Dec 11th 2024

Press Release – Norwegian Altera Infrastructure avoids trial by accepting fine for illegal shipbreaking

The NGO Shipbreaking Platform welcomes the NOK 8 million fine imposed on Norwegian ship management company Altera Infrastructure for the illegal scrapping of the two shuttle tankers NAVION BRITANNIA… Read More

Brussels, Dec 02nd 2024

Press Release – MSC urged to align its operations with international environmental and labour rights standards and stop dumping its toxic waste on South Asian beaches

In the last six months only, MSC scrapped 9 ships on the beach of Alang in India – 27 in the last two years,

... Read More