Organization: 214 Ships Scrapped at Asian Beaches - Europe's Safe Shipbreaking Lags Behind South Asia's Deadly Beaches in 2025
Shipbreaking remains a dangerous and controversial industry, with stark differences between European and Asian practices. In 2023, 101 vessels were dismantled in European yards, mostly in Turkey, the Netherlands, and the UK. Yet, far more ships—214 in 2025—ended up on South Asian beaches, where working conditions are far riskier.
Europe handled a small fraction of global shipbreaking in recent years. Official records show 101 ships scrapped in 2023, with Turkey leading at 86 vessels. The Netherlands and the UK processed the rest. These facilities operate under stricter safety and environmental rules than many Asian sites.
Despite international efforts, South Asia dominates the industry. Bangladesh and India remain the top destinations for ship dismantling, even though accidents and hazardous conditions persist. In 2025 alone, 214 ships were broken up on Asian beaches, the same number as the previous year. The toll was heavy: 11 workers died, and at least 62 suffered injuries.
Regulations like the Hong Kong Convention, designed to improve ship recycling standards, have not stopped accidents—even in certified yards. Meanwhile, the industry faces a new challenge. Hundreds of ageing tankers from so-called 'shadow fleets' are set to be scrapped in the coming years, raising concerns about where and how they will be dismantled.
The gap between European and South Asian shipbreaking remains wide. While Europe processes fewer ships under tighter controls, South Asia continues to handle the bulk of dismantling work. With more vessels from shadow fleets approaching the end of their service, the pressure on recycling yards—and their workers—is likely to grow.
