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 – Brazil set to violate three international environmental treaties in sinking PCB-laden aircraft carrier in the Atlantic
Environmentalists denounce Brazilian Navy for ‘criminal negligence’.
... Read More
Press Release – Local residents rally against shipbreaking operation in Union Bay, British Columbia
Local residents marched last Sunday at Union Bay to protest against the dirty and dangerous scrapping operations carried out in the area by Deep Water Recovery Ltd (DWR).
... Read More
Press Release – Rendsburg Court acknowledges environmental harm caused by shipbreaking, but acquits shipowners
The NGO Shipbreaking Platform welcomes the Public prosecutor’s appeal of the Rendsburg District Court’s decision to acquit the shipowners involved in the illegal export and scrapping… Read More
Platform publishes South Asia Quarterly Update #17
There were a total of 113 ships broken in the third quarter of 2018. Of these, 79 ships were sold to the beaches of South Asia for… Read More

