THE TOXIC TIDE
The shipping industry continues to exploit workers and the environment for profit
According to new data released today by the NGO Shipbreaking Platform, 321 vessels were dismantled globally in 2025, of which 214 ended up in South Asia. Bangladesh and India remain the shipping industry’s first choices for scrapping, despite the documented grave consequences beaching ships has on workers, local communities and fragile coastal ecosystems.
Eleven workers lost their lives in South Asia in 2025, with at least another sixty-two workers injured due to unsafe working practices.
Explore our Data Visualisation and read our Press Release.
Related news
Press Release – Container shipping asked to clean up its act in view of upcoming scrapping wave
Numerous container ships are predicted to be sold for scrapping in the near future.
... Read More
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
Platform publishes South Asia Quarterly Update #16
There were a total of 220 ships broken in the second quarter of 2018. Of these, 169 ships were sold to the beaches of South Asia for… Read More

Platform News – NGOs maintain pressure on owners and scrap dealers of FPSO North Sea Producer
16 August of last year the FPSO NORTH SEA PRODUCER was beached in Chittagong, Bangladesh. The ship was allowed to leave the UK based on the… Read More
Press Release – Turkish civil society organisations reiterate their call to remove Aliağa shipbreaking yards from the EU list amid environmental damage and systemic negligence
Members of Turkish organisations raise alarm about critical levels of pollution in Aliağa, as well as severe systemic mismanagement, and continue their call to remove Turkish shipbreaking yards from the EU list of ship recycling facilities until necessary improvements are introduced by the Turkish authorities and the yards.
... Read More
