The Economics of Shipbreaking
Beaching Versus Drydocks
How beaching drives ships onto tidal mudflats for dismantling, why it's cheaper than drydock recycling, and the environmental and safety concerns.
Ships are dismantled in different ways.
Beaching
- Ships are run aground on tidal beaches at high tide.
- Workers cut them apart on the beach.
Drydocks
In drydocks or piers, ships are dismantled on hard surfaces where waste can be contained.
Costs
Beaching is much cheaper, so beaching yards can pay more for ships.
Concerns
- Oil and toxic materials can leak into sand and sea.
- Cutting on unstable ground is dangerous.
EU rules
The EU Ship Recycling Regulation (2013) requires EU-flagged ships to use approved yards, which excluded most beaching yards.
Flags of convenience
Owners often re-flag ships before sale to avoid rules.
A ship is guided onto Alang's beach at the highest tide of the month, when water reaches furthest.
Beaching and drydocks differ in cost and safety.
- Beaching runs ships onto tidal beaches.
- Drydocks contain waste better.
- Beaching is cheaper.
- EU rules require approved yards.
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