Ship recycling

Over 16,000 ships could be recycled over the next decade, providing great potential for the circular economy. But it must be done the right way.

First look: Breaking Better

We're pleased to share a first look at Breaking Better, BIMCO's new documentary exploring the circular economy of ship recycling.

Earlier this year, BIMCO Secretary General David Loosley and Regional Manager & Technical Advisor Ashok Srinivasan travelled to Alang, India, to see how the industry is evolving one year after the Hong Kong Convention entered into force. The result is a 36-minute documentary that takes viewers behind the scenes of modern ship recycling, highlighting the people, processes and progress shaping the sector's future.

Watch the trailer here.

Watch the full length documentary

Why are 110 certified Indian ship recycling yards frozen out by Brussels?

The EU rules are failing to deliver real benefits where they are needed most, writes BIMCO Secretary General & CEO David Loosley. The article was published in TradeWinds.

Read the article

13 November 2025 BIMCO Ship Recycling Alliance one year on

David Loosley writes about the importance of fighting misconceptions about the ship recycling industry.

Read the article

26 June 2025 Hong Kong Convention enters into force

Watch David Loosley, BIMCO's Secretary General and CEO, talk about our work on recycling, and the inconsistencies between the Hong Kong Convention and the Basel Convention on the Transboundary Shipment of Hazardous Waste.

Employment Injury Scheme for Ship Recycling

BIMCO and the International Labour Organization have launched a pilot Employment Injury Scheme to strengthen the protection and rights of workers at ship recycling yards in Bangladesh, the world’s biggest ship recycling nation.

Seafarer holding his helmet in front of a vessel

Ship Recycling Alliance

BIMCO has launched a Ship Recycling Alliance to help accelerate safe and environmentally sound recycling of ships.

Group photo of people from BIMCO and the shipping industry in South Asia

BIMCO FILM Time for change

Over 16,000 ships could be recycled over the next decade, providing great potential for the circular economy. But it must be done the right way.

The Hong Kong Convention allows for the safe and environmentally sound recycling of ships. We need ship owners to choose globally compliant yards.

Report - Capacity of South Asia Recycling Facilities

The report focuses on facilities in South Asia, particularly India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan, and highlights the significant changes in the industry since the late 1990s.

Download the report