Industry characteristics

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2. Industry characteristics

2.1. Shipbreaking

2.1.1. Shipbreaking is the process of dismantling a ves-

sel’s structure for scrapping or disposal whether conducted at

a beach, pier, dry dock or dismantling slip. It includes a wide

range of activities, from removing all gear and equipment to

cutting down and recycling the ship’s infrastructure. Ship-

breaking is a challenging process, due to the structural com-

plexity of the ships and the many environmental, safety, and

health issues involved. While ship scrapping in dry docks

of industrialized countries is regulated, shipbreaking on

beaches or alongside piers is less subject to control and

inspection. Although these guidelines represent good prac-

tices for all, they are more particularly aimed at the step-by-

step improvement of the more hazardous situation of dis-

mantling of ships on beaches.

2.2. Shipbreaking contributes to sustainable

development

2.2.1. Breaking old or redundant ships – rather than

scuttling or using them as artificial reefs – enables steel (and

other parts of the ship) to be recycled at a much lower cost

than importing and processing iron ore. Less energy is also

needed. It also provides for the timely removal of outdated

tonnage from international waters. Hundreds of vessels are

scrapped each year, a trend which will continue. With the

phasing out of single-hull vessels there is a question of cap-

acity, thus increasing the danger that more countries will re-

sort to scrapping by beaching.