The scrapping of ships is taking place at several sites along the coast of Bangladesh. The area of
Fauzdarhat, a 16-km beach situated approximately 20-km south-west of Chittagong, is
undoubtedly the most important. Parallel ship-breaking activities taking place here, represent the
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(no. of vessels scrapped per annum), only Alang/Mumbai (India) represents a larger capacity.
However, these facilities are recognised by attending to smaller tonnage than that of Chittagong.
Chittagong is the largest facility for large vessels, scrapping some 52% of all vessels above
200.000 dwt (1997-1998). The reason being the large tidal difference providing an intertidal
zone particularly suitable for beaching large vessels.
Ship-breaking was initiated in this area in 1969 and has now grown into a considerable industry
occupying a large number of people, not only in the breaking process itself, but also in
association to the processes of refining and material re-use. It is believed that more than 100,000
individuals earn for their livelihood from the scrapping activities of Chittagong.
Canadian photographer Edward Burtynsky has many haunting images of the shipbreaking process at http://www.edwardburtynsky.com/.