Ship breaking

Ship breaking or ship demolition involves breaking up of ships for scrap.

Related Topics:
Ship - Scrap

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The industry is controversial for its poor environmental record. Until the late twentieth century, ship breaking took place in port cities in the "First World," including the United States; today, however, most ship breaking yards are in developing nations (principally Bangladesh, China, and India) where ships, often containing serious pollutants, are dismantled with few environmental precautions like dry docks and labor is done with workers with little protection. Two of the more infamous ship breaking yards are located in Alang and Chittagong, Bangladesh.

Related Topics:
Twentieth century - United States - Developing nation - Bangladesh - China - India - Pollutant - Dry dock - Alang - Chittagong

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The ship breaking industry in these easily-exploited regions has recently gotten increasing attention from not only environmental groups and workers/human rights groups, but also from amateur photographers who find the surreal, almost hellish, scenes found in a ship breaking yard excellent material for their work. Ship breaking featured prominantly in Canadian photographer Edward Burtynsky's acclaimed "Manufactured Landscapes" photo essays and exhibit in 2004.

Related Topics:
Photographers - Edward Burtynsky

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