More than 230 giant ships arrive at the Chittagong shipyard each year, generating millions of tons of recycled steel, but at the cost of inhumane conditions, child exploitation and severe environmental damage.
A steel giant that sailed the oceans for decades, ending its days stranded on a beach. In Chittagong, Bangladesh, this is more than a metaphor – it’s an everyday reality. This shipyard, considered the world’s largest “ship graveyard,” dismantles these colossal vessels, but at what cost? Behind the recycled steel are stories of human exploitation and devastating environmental impact.
The life cycle of the giants of the seas
Ships have an average lifespan of 30 years. After that, the cost of maintenance outweighs the benefits. When they reach this point, companies need to decide: modernize or send the ship for scrap.
Ship recycling, when done well, is sustainable. Most vessels can be reused, from steel to electronic components. However, in places like Chittagong, recycling is becoming a concern.
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Chittagong: The world's largest ship graveyard
In the 1960s, stranded ships gave rise to this practice. In the 1980s, Chittagong established itself as the main destination for ship dismantling. Today, more than 230 vessels arrive annually, producing millions of tons of recycled steel.
The activity generates jobs for hundreds of thousands of people, but at a high cost. Many workers face dangerous conditions, while the environment suffers from contamination.
The ship dismantling process
O process should be simple: removing fuel and chemicals, dismantling electronic components, and cutting the ship into parts for recycling. But in Chittagong, the lack of dry docks allows contaminants to leak directly into the soil and sea.
Improper dismantling exposes workers to toxic substances, causing respiratory and muscle problems and even death. In 2017, at least nine people died at the shipyard, but no responsibility has been taken.
A sustainable future?
The Hong Kong Convention, created in 2009, seeks to standardize ship dismantling. However, adherence is still low, especially in countries like Bangladesh, where operating costs are a priority.
Some locations, such as the Aliaga shipyard in Türkiye, show that it is possible to carry out dismantling in a sustainable way, with respect for the environment and workers.