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:

 

7751
SHIPS BEACHED
447
DEATHS
393
INJURIES
ISSUES OF INTEREST
WHY SHIPS ARE TOXIC
FLAGS OF CONVENIENCE
CHILD LABOUR
CLEAN AND SAFE SOLUTIONS

SPOTLIGHT

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

The Toxic Tide – 2022 Shipbreaking Records

2022 shipbreaking records: most shipping companies continue to opt for the highest price at the worst scrapping yards.

... 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

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

Newsroom

Brussels, Dec 20th 2023

Press Release – Ship recycling in Aliağa under the spotlight

The new report Ship Recycling in Turkey: Challenges and Future Direction provides a comprehensive analysis of the current challenges faced by the ship recycling sector in Aliağa and also underscores the immense potential for driving forward sustainable ship recycling practices and demonstrates a clear path towards achieving this goal.

... Read More
Brussels, Dec 11th 2023

Press Release – UAE takes important steps towards sustainable ship recycling

Set to take effect from June 2025, UAE new legislation brings about a ban on the beaching and landing of UAE-flagged vessels as well as all foreign vessels leaving or transiting through UAE waters enroute to scrap yards.

... Read More
Brussels, Nov 22nd 2023

Platform publishes South Asia Quarterly Update #35

Four workers suffered an accident on South Asian beaches in the third quarter of 2023.

... Read More
Dhaka, Sep 28th 2023

Press Release – Bangladesh: shipping firms profit from labour abuse

New report reveals network used by shipowners and shipbreaking yards to circumvent international laws prohibiting the dumping of end-of-life ships on South Asian beaches.

... Read More
Brussels, Aug 14th 2023

Platform publishes South Asia Quarterly Update #34

Seven workers suffered an accident on South Asian beaches in the second quarter of 2023.

... Read More
Rotterdam, Jul 13th 2023

Press Release – Ship owner and two directors fined by Dutch Court for breaching EU waste law

Dutch company Jumbo and two of its directors fined for their involvement in the illegal export of an end-of-life ship to Turkey for recycling. 

... Read More
Rio de Janeiro, Jul 10th 2023

Press Release – Petrobras to recycle offshore unit in Brazil for the first time

This significant move paves the way for the development of a recycling industry in Brazil.

... Read More
Brussels, Jul 05th 2023

Press Release – NGOs call on the Netherlands to push for the safe and environmentally sound recycling of FSO Safer

The Dutch government is a pioneer in environmentally friendly technologies implementing sound life-cycle practices.

... Read More