Biggest Ship Graveyard In The World

The Alang Shipbreaking Yard, on the Gulf of Khambhat near the town of Alang, Bhavnagar district in the Indian State of Gujarat, is recognised as the biggest ship graveyard in the world.

Over a third of the world’s old and obsolete vessels end up here, including container ships, supertankers, and even legendary ships like the Exxon Valdez and Seawise Giant, which met their fate at Alang.

The facility has 183 ship-breaking yards along the 14 km coastline, with a total processing capacity of 4.5 million Light Displacement Tonnage.

The biggest ship graveyard began operations in 1983. Founded by Capt. N. Sundaresan, it is said to have generated around U.S $ 110.6 billion in aggregate value, including total assets.

Given its growth, the yard has extended northeast towards Sosiya in Gujarat and is often called the Alang-Sosiya Yard.

Its inception transformed Alang, once a land of lakes, thriving coral reefs and a quiet fishing village, into a global centre for ship recycling.

The yard reached its zenith in 2011 and 2012, when it dismantled around 415 ships annually and in 2020, it recycled 196 ships.

Ship Breaking At the World’s Biggest Ship Graveyard

Ships are deliberately beached on the mudflats when there is a high tide. The fuel tanks are emptied to prevent the risk of explosions and to handle any hazardous materials which might be onboard the ship. Officers also inspect the vessel to ensure it is compliant and is safe to dismantle.

Labourers then move to the beach and begin the process of dismantling the vessel, salvaging valuable parts including electronics, plumbing, wiring and memorabilia before taking the rest for scrapping.

The hull and the ship’s superstructure are cut for scrap steel and other materials. Salvaged items are then sold in Alang’s bustling scrap market and purchased by buyers not only from India but from abroad, too.

Planned Upgrades and Innovation

The Governments of Japan and Gujarat signed an MOU in 2010 for technology transfer and financial assistance for upgrading the yard so it meets international benchmarks.

The aim was to transform Alang into the biggest IMO-compliant ship recycling yard, a project supported by India and Japan.

Efforts began in this direction in 2017 when the Japanese International Cooperation Agency gave a loan of 76 million dollars, and the Gujarati Maritime Board provided $35 million.

Stakeholders are also investing in new technologies for ship dismantling, waste management and recycling processes, making Alang more competitive and attractive to shipowners seeking environmentally friendly recycling solutions.

Several yards in Alang have received certifications from international bodies like ClassNK, showing compliance with global standards for safety, environmental protection and welfare of workers.

Environmental Concerns

Salvage yards in Alang have been a part of many controversies regarding environmental, health and safety concerns, including workers’ living conditions, accidents and workers’ deaths.

The recycling activities have polluted Alang’s beaches and surrounding areas, including the water with heavy metals like zinc, lead, nickel, tin and substances like toxic paint and oil.

Additionally, coral reefs and marine ecosystems have also suffered damage due to the release of hazardous materials and oil spills.

Burning of solid waste and improper disposal of chemicals and oil have led to not only water, but also air pollution.

Worker Safety and Living Conditions

The largest graveyard in the world employs thousands of workers, most of whom migrate from extremely poor regions of the country.

They work without proper safety equipment, which has led to many accidents, resulting in serious injuries and deaths.

Between 2009 and 2012, at least 54 workers died in accidents, per the Local Workers Union, which attracted concerns from the IndustriALL Global Union and the EU.

Fortunately, in 2019, a hospital was opened in Alang to meet the medical requirements, as previously, the nearest hospital was at a 50 km distance.

Other Notable Facilities

There are other large shipbreaking yards such as the Aliaga Ship Breaking Yard in Turkey, the Chittagong Ship Breaking Yard in Bangladesh and the Bay of Nouadhibou in Mauritania, cited as the biggest ship graveyard by the number of abandoned vessels, which is more than 300, as it functions more as a dumping ground than a recycling facility.

In the 1980s, Gadani in Pakistan was the biggest ship-breaking yard, however, it could not sustain itself amidst the newly established yards like Alang, which led to a decrease in its output. Today, it is counted among the world’s biggest ship-breaking yards, but it produces less than one-fifth of the scrap it produced in the 1980s.

Challenges Faced By The Largest Ship Graveyard

Alang is witnessing a severe drop in demand for ship recycling services, with yard utilisation dropping to just 25%. This has also affected its once-flourishing second-hand equipment market, forcing businesses to stock imported goods to survive. Many yards remain out of work, with workers waiting for new ships to arrive.

Operational costs are rising due to the need to invest in new technologies and upgrade facilities to meet international standards. Compliance with strict regulations like those mandated by the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships is increasing financial pressure on yard owners.

The implementation of the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) certification for steel produced from recycled ships has led to delays. A lack of clarity in the certification process is also hampering the supply of recycled steel to the indian market and undermining competitiveness.

Alang struggles with environmental and health hazards. Workers, most of whom lack protective gear and training, continue to suffer for minimal wages. The risk of fire, explosions and deadly diseases like cancer is prevalent.

Geopolitical tensions and market volatility add to the uncertainty, affecting the flow of ships to Alang and the prices for scrap steel and recycled materials.

Conclusion

Alang Ship Breaking Yard, also referred to as the largest ship graveyard in the world, is a place of both economic opportunity and immense challenges faced by the maritime sector today. It highlights the massive scale of maritime commerce and the urgent need to implement sustainable maritime practices to save the marine ecosystems vital for the health of our planet.

As modernisation efforts and upgrades continue, Alang remains in the limelight as the debate over economic development, worker safety, and environmental stewardship continues.

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