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:

 

7073
SHIPS BEACHED
430
DEATHS
354
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, Sep 28th 2022

Press Release – Toxic aircraft carrier São Paulo rejected by Turkey returning to Brazil

The toxic waste-laden aircraft carrier São Paulo is on its way back to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. 
Environmental and labour groups declare victory.

... Read More
Rotterdam, Sep 08th 2022

Platform News – REMINDER: Ship Recycling Lab on 20-21 September in Rotterdam

The NGO Shipbreaking Platform invites you to attend the conference Ship Recycling Lab on 20-21 September in Rotterdam (Netherlands).

... Read More
Ankara, Sep 02nd 2022

Press Release – Turkish authorities ban the entrance of toxic aircraft carrier São Paulo

Turkey has finally banned the toxic aircraft carrier SÃO PAULO from entering its national waters.

... Read More
Brussels, Aug 30th 2022

Platform publishes South Asia Quarterly Update #30

Fourteen workers suffered an accident on South Asian beaches in the second quarter of 2022.

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Ankara, Aug 23rd 2022

Press Release – Turkey demands new survey of massive toxic warship before import


Turkish authority Eyyüp KARAHAN, General Director of Environmental Management, wrote to Brazilian IBAMA, requiring a new IHM to be conducted prior the export.

... Read More
British Columbia, Aug 22nd 2022

Press Release – Imminent breaking of asbestos-laden NOASS Miller Freeman worries NGOs and local residents of Union Bay, British Columbia

NGOs once again call upon B.C. federal, provincial and local competent bodies to halt the shipbreaking activities conducted by Deep Water Recovery LTD (DWR) at Union Bay.

... Read More
Brussels, Aug 17th 2022

Press Release – Brazil silent as renegade aircraft carrier moves in 
defiance of injunction and international law


Environmental, human rights, and labor organisations from around the world are sounding the alarm over the former Brazilian aircraft carrier SÃO PAULO, now being towed across the Atlantic towards Turkey in defiance of international and Brazilian law.

... Read More
Brussels, Aug 05th 2022

Press Release – Toxic warship “Clemenceau II” starts voyage from Brazil to the Mediterranean Sea

Reports from Rio de Janeiro confirm that the sister ship of the infamous aircraft carrier Clemenceau has now been placed under tow on an about 6000-mile journey to Turkey, where it is to be scrapped.

... Read More