News - Marine & Offshore

The Marine sector faces a significant challenge when it comes to the proper disposal of vessels reaching the end of their service life. Vessel dismantling, also known as ship recycling, involves complex processes that aim to balance economic feasibility, worker safety and environmental responsibility.

The challenge of safe dismantling

Ships are massive structures composed of various materials, including steel, aluminum, copper, plastics, glass and hazardous substances such as asbestos, contaminated oils, and heavy metals. The dismantling process must be carried out with extreme care to prevent environmental impacts, such as chemical waste leakage into the soil and sea, while ensuring worker safety.

In many countries, dismantling is still done in a rudimentary manner, with ships being taken to beaches where workers manually dismantle them, often without adequate protective equipment. This method, known as beaching, is widely criticized by environmental and human rights organizations due to its high risks of contamination and workplace accidents.

Sustainable alternatives for ship recycling

To make ship recycling safer and more sustainable, various initiatives and regulations have been implemented worldwide:

• Hong Kong Convention (2009) – Created by the IMO (International Maritime Organization), this convention establishes global standards for safe and environmentally responsible ship recycling. Although not yet fully in force, many countries and shipyards already adhere to its guidelines.
• European ship recycling regulation – The European Union requires that vessels registered in member states be dismantled only in certified facilities that comply with strict safety and environmental control standards.
• Alternative methods to beaching – Some companies are investing in specialized shipyards, where vessels are dismantled in dry docks or designated platforms, reducing environmental contamination and providing better working conditions.
• Material reuse – Steel recovered from ship hulls can be recycled and used in new constructions, reducing the need for iron ore extraction. Electronic components, engines, cables and even interior furnishings can be repurposed for other industries.

The future of ship recycling

Ship recycling is becoming an increasingly urgent issue, with thousands of commercial vessels, tankers, and warships reaching the end of their service life in the coming decades. The Marine industry is actively seeking ways to make this process more efficient, minimizing environmental impacts and ensuring safe working conditions.

In this context, Metalock Brasil, with its expertise in repairs and maintenance, contributes to the longevity of marine equipment and structures, reducing the need for premature replacements and, consequently, the number of vessels destined for recycling.

The Marine sector faces a major challenge, but also a great opportunity to evolve toward more sustainable and safer practices.