The NGO Shipbreaking Platform’s 2025 report highlights alarming trends in the global shipbreaking industry, revealing that 85% of all dismantled vessels were broken down on beaches in Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan. Among the 321 ships dismantled worldwide, 214 ended up in South Asia, which continues to prioritize beaching methods despite marked dangers to workers and local ecosystems. In 2025, eleven workers lost their lives, with over sixty injured, highlighting severe safety concerns.
One significant incident occurred at the Ziri Subedar yard in Bangladesh, where an explosion during the dismantling of the vessel BANGLAR JYOTI injured eight workers. Despite the approval of seventeen yards in Bangladesh under the International Maritime Organisation’s Hong Kong Convention (HKC), accidents persist and reporting remains inadequate, questioning the effectiveness of poorly enforced safety standards.
India, as of now, has no HKC-authorized shipbreaking yards, while over 100 in Alang-Sosiya claim compliance. Experts contend that existing standards do not guarantee safe practices and stress the need for stricter regulations. This includes bolstering the provisions of the Basel Convention, which restricts hazardous waste trade and obligates countries to ensure safe disposal methods.
The backlogs of ships, particularly aging vessels, indicate an incoming wave of dismantling primarily from the so-called dark fleet, often dodging sanctions and regulations through illicit trading practices. It is noted that many vessels are using complex ownership structures and Flags of Convenience (FOCs) to evade accountability. A case involving Greek shipping magnate Vangelis Marinakis illustrates this issue, as his vessels were linked to illegal sales and unscrupulous practices leading to environmental harm.
The report also calls attention to regulatory shortcomings in the recycling sector even in countries like the UAE, where new regulations intended to prohibit unsafe methods are in place. Major shipping nations like China, South Korea, and the UAE figure prominently as key players in the shipbreaking industry’s underbelly.
The alarming patterns support a call for transitioning to safer alternatives that prioritize environmentally sound recycling methods, aligning with ongoing shifts in the EU toward decarbonization and sustainable practices. Civil society, trade unions, and the recycling sector are advocating for significant reforms in policies to manage end-of-life vessels responsibly. Emerging initiatives highlight the importance of recycling as not just a waste disposal method, but as a source of valuable materials essential for a circular economy.
In summary, the report paints a dire picture of the shipbreaking landscape, underscoring the urgent necessity for major industry reform, international accountability, and the adoption of safe disposal methods that protect both workers and fragile ecosystems.
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