Abstract
It has been made evident that in order to improve environmental protection and occupational safety in Bangladesh, it is critical for the country to develop multi-sectoral policy and strategy to promote sustainable shipbreaking practices. It emerges that infrastructures such as hazardous waste treatment, storage, disposal facilities (TSDF) are a critical issue that could determine whether or not Bangladesh could continue to operate in the ship breaking and recycling industry (SBRI), even though it does not seem like a current priority for the poverty-stricken country. This chapter aims to examine the current shipbreaking practices in South Asian countries by focusing particularly on Bangladesh and to what extent current practices have impacted the environment and worker health and safety. Primary research was sourced by questionnaires and interviews directed at industry professionals to evaluate whether sustainable shipbreaking practices from “green” yards such as Aliaga, Turkey or Alang, India can be applied in Bangladesh.
TopAims And Objectives
This research aims to analyse shipbreaking operations in Bangladesh and to identify and assess potential cost-effective solutions that could be adopted from green ship breaking yards such as in Aliaga, Turkey and Alang, India, for Bangladesh to improve environmental sustainability and workers' health and safety.
Key Terms in this Chapter
Ship Breaking: Ship breaking, also known as ship dismantling, ship demolition, ship recycling, or ship cracking, is a type of ship disposal involving the breaking up of ships for either a source of parts, which can be sold for re-use, or for the extraction of raw materials, chiefly scrap.
Workers’ Health and Safety: All workers are entitled to work in environments where risks to their health and safety are properly controlled. Under health and safety law, the primary responsibility for this is down to employers. Employers have a duty to consult with their employees, or their representatives, on health and safety matters.
Environmental Sustainability: Environmental sustainability is defined as responsible interaction with the environment to avoid depletion or degradation of natural resources and allow for long-term environmental quality. The practice of environmental sustainability helps to ensure that the needs of today's population are met without jeopardizing the ability of future generations to meet their needs.