Ship graveyards
Shipbreaking happens in poor countries. Mainly Asian countries. Beaches
in India, Bangladesh,
Pakistan and Turkey
have been turned into ship graveyards. Machinery parts, oil rags, open fires
and leaking barrels are all over the beach. Workers with torch cutters dismantle
the huge sea-carriers.
No safety standards
These four countries and China scrap around 90%
of the ships from rich industrialised countries. Most of them in India:
60%. Bangladesh and Pakistan get the largest vessels. Health and safety
standards in these countries are virtually ignored. There is a demand for
recycled steel and a use for re-rolled steel. Workers are desperate for
a job.
Poorer countries
The shipbreaking industry shifts from poor to even poorer countries. In 2000 an explosion in a gas tanker killed 20 - 40 workers in Bangladesh. Bangladesh does not enforce mandatory 'gas-free for hot works certifications' for oil tankers. India does. So the oil tankers left the Indian shipbreaking yards. Not having to degas the ships saves the owners US$ 2 per ton. But shipowners receive between US$ 115 and US$ 200 per ton ship when selling it to the shipbreakers.
Remarkable ships Pacific Princess ('Love Boat') is on the Greenpeace list. More remarkable ships...
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Ship graveyards