Is Ship Scrapping sustainable? A view on Maersk's approach
"Out of a total of 768 ships recycled globally in 2015, 469 – representing 74% of the total gross tonnage scrapped – were sold to facilities on beaches in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh with challenges to workers and the environment, according to Maersk."
Board Chair | Founder | CEO
8 年Hello All.. My question was kind of provocative I do admit. Scrapping is economically sustainable only because they way it is done is not preserving neither the natural environment nor the social one. At least, the way it is done now (and if we'd track the supply chain downstrem more surprises will show up for sure). Maersk's approach is one of the possible many though. For instance take the example of the wreck of Costa Concordia, who has been salvaged and has been scrapped in Italy with the most advanced and eco-friendly technology, creating socially-sustainable job places. Or take the example of the US Navy's old aircraft carriers, which are scrapped by US scrapyards according to strict procedures. Othere socially and environmentally friendly approach are possibile, but they are very very expensive
MBA|Maritime Professional
8 年It would be interesting to track the supply chain of the scrap after decommission in south Asia.
Executive Director at ZIGHA'S AYIBAKURO LIMITED
8 年Ship scrapping isa lucrative business but like the writer earlier wrote it comes with human issues as well as environmental because earlier times shipswere been built with asbestoswhich are of real hazard to human health. I remember a programme I attended in Sweden, these issues can notbe over emphasised. Now asking if ship scrapping is sustainable is a nice questionbut for me I would haveloved to know on what context? Looking forward to your response and enlightened delibrationshere
Managing Director at The Following Sea
8 年Is shipping scrapped humans sustainable?
Board Chair | Founder | CEO
8 年Thanks for your comment William. Indeed, scrap metal is one of the most lucrative business on the trade from the US to China in particular (though one of the less rewarding commodities for carriers). However, how long this is going to last? When China will start the real conversion to a service economy the Chinese import of scrap metals/paper will decline. So who is next?