In terms of numbers, the three South Asian countries accounted for 50 percent of ships, but in terms of tonnage, they accounted for 71 percent, Robin des Bois said. PHOTO: AFP/FILE
In 2013, 1,119 ships went to the world's breaker's yards, a decline of 16 per cent over 2012 which was an "exceptional year," the environmental watchdog Robin des Bois (Robin Hood) said.
The figures "confirm that the ship demolition sector is in good health," Robin des Bois said.
It is the second highest tally since 2006, when the group began compiling annual reports in an effort to boost transparency in a sector with a contested environmental record.
In terms of number of ships demolished, the three South Asian countries accounted for 50 per cent of ships torn down in 2013.
India, being the world leader, tore 343 ships, or about 26 per cent of total ships demolished.
Bangladesh and Pakistan stood third and fifth in the list with 210 and 104 ships or 16 and eight per cent respectively.
In terms of tonnage, the three South Asian countries accounted for 71 per cent of the worlds scrapped ships. India came in at the top with 2.8 million tonnes or 31 per cent of total metal recycled globally, while Bangladesh and Pakistan accounted for 2.3 million (25 per cent) and 1.4 million (15 per cent) respectively.
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India headed the list in both categories, but China was also a big player, ranking second in the number of ships that it demolished and third in terms of tonnage. Pakistan came in fifth (by number of ships) and fourth (by tonnage).
Turkey captured a significant market as it came in fourth by number of ships, tearing down 136 ships (10%) and fifth by tonnage with 514,000 tonnes (six per cent).
Of the 1,119 ships, 667 were scrapped after being held at ports, along with their crew, for failing to meet international safety standards, the report said.
"Port inspections are playing a solid role in cleaning up the world's merchant fleet," it said.
Roughly a third of ships that were broken up were bulk carriers, while container ships accounted for one in six - a sharp rise over the last six years.
According to the report, out of 1119 ships that were scrapped in 2013, 387 were bulker, 245 cargo, 180 container ships, 164 containers and 39 Ro Ro.
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Environmental concerns
South Asia has long been a graveyard for merchant ships, but it also carries a reputation for poor safety and environmental hazards.
The European Union has approved regulations requiring large EU-flagged vessels to be recycled at approved facilities.
Robin des Bois described the intention as "pious," given that only eight per cent of such vessels were scrapped at European yards in 2013, and many European ships were given a flag of convenience by their owners for their last voyage.
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The high tech world does NOT want to invest in Pakistan to hire its engineers, would you when the security system worsens by the day. Just imagine our generation can become junk-stripping assistants the lowest type of manual labor to boost our dying egos! USA already has plans when the drones run their life, they might consider their scrap capacity to us reminding how it took these foreign machines to eliminate the terror figures we could not destroy by ourselves.
We have the best slaves in the world!
Like others said it's not something we should be proud of. At the moment there is only 1 ship yard with recycling facilities up to International Standard i.e. Green Recycling. Furthermore, this industry is damaging the steel rolling mills who are investing billion of rupees and still have to pay high taxes unlike Shipbreaking industry. That is why their material is cheaper and since there is no Government body to approve the quality, contractors widely prefer shipbreaking steel material regardless of their non-conformity to International Standards. Any natural disaster in the urban cities, God forbid, would result in massive human and material loss due to this important factor neglected by main Government bodies and association. Government should discourage the usage of sub-standard steel, made from shipbreaking scrap, and atleast scrutinize the working environment in this industry which is by the way, well documented by GREENPEACE, is below par and inhumane.
Breaking is something Pakistanis do very well. It is the building that is difficult.
@Alam: Ship breaking is not something to be proud of as it exposes our workers to toxic waste. I would be very happy if India were not on that list.
This is part of the life cycle of any economy and as the ships become more environmentally friendly and the regulations governing their dismantling improve, the ship breaking yards will become better in terms of technology and environmental safety standards.
Must we compere us with India. In each matter,if we do then do not forget the area and population of that country.On the ratio basis we are ahead of themi
This is a nasty job and no country should take pride in this.
ET shows its a proud achievement. Where as its the other way around.
China, India & Pakistan have become the Toxic Junk Yard for the west, what with west sending Ships, Electronic Waste and Poisonous chemicals to these countries which causes Cancer and other diseases with the Mercury, arsenic, lead emanating out of them.
This is not something for which Pakistan or India should crow about. All old ship are full of toxic material and no developed countries law allow them to be wrecked in their own country. Example Asbestos causes mesothelioma (tumor of the lining of the lungs), Radioactive material causes cancer of the bone and lungs. Worker who work on these ship are from village and when they get sick they return to village to die and blame almighty or fate for their sickness.
India is way ahead in every field.. they are really of some metal... I have never seen any indian begging in the world with empty bowls, but still they are light years ahead of us ...
Not sure this is something to be proud of. Ship breaking is labor intensive, extremely hazardous to the environment, and highly risky to the health and safety of workers. There's a reason such work goes to the world's poorest countries where environmental, health, and safety regulations are missing or lax. Surprised to see Turkey in there, in fact.