SHIPBREAKING

A DIRTY AND DANGEROUS INDUSTRY

SHIPBREAKING

A DIRTY AND DANGEROUS INDUSTRY

SHIPBREAKING

A DIRTY AND DANGEROUS INDUSTRY

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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
449
DEATHS
412
INJURIES
ISSUES OF INTEREST
WHY SHIPS ARE TOXIC
FLAGS OF CONVENIENCE
CHILD LABOUR
CLEAN AND SAFE SOLUTIONS

SPOTLIGHT

The Toxic Tide – 2023 Shipbreaking Records

2023 shipbreaking records: most shipping companies continue to opt for the highest price at the worst scrapping yards.

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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

Maersk’s toxic trade: the North Sea Producer case

In August 2016 the FPSO NORTH SEA PRODUCER was beached in Chittagong, Bangladesh. The ship was allowed to leave the UK based on false claims that it… Read More

The controversial case of the Harrier: holding business to account

It all started with an anonymous letter informing us that the EIDE CARRIER was sold for scrap. Having been laid up for many years on the Norwegian… Read More

Newsroom

Brussels, Oct 27th 2024

Platform publishes South Asia Quarterly Update #39

Eighteen workers suffered an accident on South Asian beaches in the third quarter of 2024.

... Read More
Brussels, Oct 17th 2024

Press Release – Ship Recycling Lab’s 2nd Edition: when ethical leadership and cutting edge technology meet, sustainable ship recycling is on the horizon!

Over 100 participants met in Lisbon on 9-10 October.

... Read More
Brussels, Sep 22nd 2024

Press Release – Fatal accident at Işıksan shipyard in İzmir

Four workers were directly affected by the gas exposure. Tragically, one of them lost his life.

... Read More
Brussels, Sep 18th 2024

Press Release – Bangladesh: ship explosion exposes regulatory failures


Deadly accident in a yard with Hong Kong Convention certification 
claims six lives.

... Read More
Brussels, Jul 30th 2024

Platform publishes South Asia Quarterly Update #38

Four workers suffered an accident on South Asian beaches in the second quarter of 2024.

... Read More
Rio de Janeiro, Jul 07th 2024

Breaking Out News Series – Unlocking Brazil’s potential in ship recycling

We are excited to launch our Breaking Out News Series, in anticipation of the second edition of our Ship Recycling Lab in Lisbon this October. Highlighting innovators… Read More

Jun 17th 2024

Press Release – Norwegian Altera Infrastructure fined for beaching two ships in India

Økokrim issued a fine of NOK 8 million on 10 June to shipping company Altera Infrastructure for having sold two vessels for scrapping India.

... Read More
Apr 30th 2024

Press Release – Seatrade reaches settlement with Dutch Public Prosecution Service

Dutch ship owner Seatrade has reached a settlement with the Dutch Public Prosecution Service following the illegal export of four ships to India, Bangladesh, and Turkey for… Read More