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 – Turning point: new tech and developments for a new future of ship recycling presented at the Lab
Stakeholders that are pioneering a new future for sustainable ship recycling gathered in Rotterdam at the NGO Shipbreaking Platform’s Ship Recycling Lab.
... Read More
Press Release – Two workers die while scrapping cruise ship in Turkey
Yet another fatal accident recently took place at the ship recycling yards of Aliağa, Turkey. On 12 July, Yılmaz Demir (55 years old) and Oğuz Taşkın (30 years… Read More
Press Release – EU Industrial Maritime Strategy: Commitment to boost EU-based ship recycling capacity must be backed by concrete funding and measures and a true level playing field
The European Commission published on Wednesday 5 March its Industrial Maritime Strategy, an important milestone in supporting the European maritime industry.
... Read More
Press Release – U.S. Shipping Line Matson backtracks on commitment to not dump their old ships on South Asian Beaches
The Basel Action Network (BAN) and the NGO Shipbreaking Platform today condemned Matson Shipping Lines for proceeding with the export of its former U.S.-flagged vessel MOKIHANA for scrapping at the notorious shipbreaking beaches of Alang, India.
... Read More
Press Release – NGOs win FPSO North Sea Producer case
On 14 November the High Court Division of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh declared the import, beaching and breaking of the infamous FPSO North Sea Producer… Read More
Platform News – Clean Shipping Coalition: Maersk undermines its reputation with plan to circumvent ship recycling law
The Clean Shipping Coalition criticises container ship giant Maersk for its statement that is considers to flag out end-of-life vessels from the Danish or other European registries… Read More

