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:

 

7751
SHIPS BEACHED
441
DEATHS
384
INJURIES
ISSUES OF INTEREST
WHY SHIPS ARE TOXIC
FLAGS OF CONVENIENCE
CHILD LABOUR
CLEAN AND SAFE SOLUTIONS

SPOTLIGHT

The Toxic Tide – 2021 Shipbreaking Records

2021 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, Jan 21st 2023

Press Release – Brazilian Navy suddenly seizes its old warship forcing it to sea

NGOs urgently call on President Lula to prevent Navy from sinking toxic ship in the Atlantic.

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Brussels, Jan 20th 2023

Press Release – Brazil must allow its own toxic aircraft carrier to dock

NGOs demand urgent action of Lula administration as ship needs repair and safe harbour.

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Brussels, Jan 19th 2023

Platform publishes South Asia Quarterly Update #32

Eight workers suffered an accident on South Asian beaches in the last quarter of 2022.

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Brussels, Nov 17th 2022

Press Release – Polluting shipbreaking practices threaten Ghanian shores

Ship demolition is causing marine pollution in Kpone and surrounding towns.

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Brussels, Oct 27th 2022

Press Release – Toxic aircraft carrier dangerously drifting after weeks at sea

The toxic waste-laden aircraft carrier São Paulo is still drifting more than 12 miles off the coast of the State of Pernambuco.

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Brussels, Oct 24th 2022

Platform publishes South Asia Quarterly Update #31

Five workers suffered an accident on South Asian beaches in the third quarter of 2022.

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Brussels, Oct 10th 2022

Platform News – Prison sentence for attempted illegal export of the Harrier reveals reckless actions by all parties involved

The judgment, now available in English, provides shocking insights into the role played by all parties involved in the sale and transport of the end-of-life vessel.

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Rotterdam, Oct 04th 2022

Press Release – Turning point: new tech and developments for a new future of ship recycling presented at the Lab

Stakeholders that are pioneering a new future for sustainable ship recycling gathered in Rotterdam at the NGO Shipbreaking Platform’s Ship Recycling Lab.

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