SHIPBREAKING
A DIRTY AND DANGEROUS INDUSTRY
SHIPBREAKING
A DIRTY AND DANGEROUS INDUSTRY
SHIPBREAKING
A DIRTY AND DANGEROUS INDUSTRY

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.
A GLOBAL ISSUE

Exporters of toxic ships
Ship owners from East Asia and Europe top the list of dumpers that sell ships for breaking on South Asian beaches.
Shipbreaking countries
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:
SPOTLIGHT
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 MoreWhere 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

Platform publishes South Asia Quarterly Update #34
Seven workers suffered an accident on South Asian beaches in the second quarter of 2023.
... Read More
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
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
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
Press Release – NGOs warn that Hong Kong Convention will fail to ensure sustainable ship recycling
Treaty to continue toxic business-as-usual on the Beaches of South Asia while undermining efforts for reform.
... Read More
Press Release – Human rights and environmental NGOs urge UNDP to ensure the clean and safe recycling of FSO Safer
The NGOs warn against the possibility of the FSO being scrapped at one of the notorious South Asian shipbreaking yards.
... Read More
Press Release – NGOs organise event on sustainable maritime transport on 31 May in Lisbon
On 31 May, between 2PM and 7:30PM, the NGOs ZERO, Sciaena, NGO Shipbreaking Platform and Circular Economy Portugal are organising the conference “Waves of change: towards circular… Read More