By Kamrul Islam, Chattogram: On the coast of Sitakunda in Chattogram, colossal grey metallic structures lie strewn across the sands. This is no ordinary graveyard—here, it’s not death that arrives, but the beginning of a new cycle. Old ships from around the world end their journey here. The process, known as shipbreaking, begins with a quiet yet dramatic phase called beaching.
Beaching: The Colossal Ships Come Ashore
Old vessels are first purchased through international auctions. Then, they are towed to the Sitakunda coast, adjacent to the Chattogram port. Thanks to the sloping, sandy shoreline, it’s possible to drive these massive ships straight onto land. This is called beaching.
Usually, during the highest tide—just before the water begins to recede—the ship is carefully maneuvered toward the coast. It is driven forward slowly and strategically until it becomes grounded in a designated spot. Once secured, the hazardous materials on board must be removed, including fuel, oil, chemicals, and gases. This step is often the most dangerous of all.
Safety and the Removal of Toxic Substances
Substances like asbestos, heavy metals, fuel residues, and industrial chemicals must be removed by skilled workers. A single mistake can lead to fatal accidents or severe environmental contamination.
Old ships often contain deadly substances such as asbestos and PCBs. Removing them requires protective equipment, masks, and strict safety protocols. Yet in reality, safety gear is often inadequate or absent, and workers must risk their lives daily.
Cutting Begins: Shattered Steel Dreams
After all hazardous and toxic materials are removed, the cutting process begins. Piece by piece, the outer layers of the ship are stripped away. Using gas torches, the massive steel plates are cut into smaller segments. Amid this orchestrated destruction lies precise craftsmanship—where to begin, which section to cut first, how to maintain balance.
The deck and superstructure are cut first, followed by the main hull. Workers, split into small teams, use gas torches like sparks of firework against the darkness, slicing through the body of the ship. The work continues through the night, the sound of grinding steel merging with the roar of the sea.
Reuse and Rebirth: From Wreckage to Resource
The cut steel is then transported by trucks to rolling mills, re-rolling plants, or resold to second-hand parts markets. The metal plates are melted down to become rods, beams, angles, machinery parts, or construction materials. Even furniture, windows, motors, and refrigerators from ships are salvaged and sold.
Dismantling a large vessel can take anywhere from three to six months—sometimes even up to a year. During this time, hundreds of workers are employed, most of whom come from impoverished northern or coastal regions of Bangladesh.
The Human Cost: Earning a Living, Risking a Life
The risks for workers in this industry are immense. Lack of safety, insufficient training, extended working hours, and constant exposure to fire and heavy lifting make this one of the most dangerous occupations. Yet thousands enter the yards every day. No one talks about fear—they know it’s cutting steel that feeds their families.
From beaching to dismantling and finally to recycling, the journey of a dead ship is both a symbol of economic potential and a reminder of grave challenges to worker safety and the environment. If operated under humane and regulated conditions, this industry could become a cornerstone of Bangladesh’s development—offering employment, industrial raw materials, and sustainable economic growth.
