Green Ships - Revision history

Angelo Godbey at 21:14, 22 September 2020

2020-09-22T21:14:01Z

Beckerr: /* Ship Breaking Regulations */

2015-09-04T05:44:42Z

Ship Breaking Regulations

Beckerr: /* Green Ship Countries */

2015-09-04T05:44:20Z

Green Ship Countries

Beckerr at 21:27, 1 September 2015

2015-09-01T21:27:03Z

Beckerr: /* Shipbreaking Methods */

2015-09-01T21:26:39Z

Shipbreaking Methods

Beckerr: /* Asbestos */

2015-08-31T05:47:46Z

Asbestos

Beckerr: /* Beach Shipbreaking */

2015-08-31T05:46:09Z

Beach Shipbreaking

Beckerr: /* Environmental Impacts */

2015-08-31T03:52:37Z

Environmental Impacts

Beckerr at 02:49, 31 August 2015

2015-08-31T02:49:24Z

Beckerr: /* Benefits of Shipbreaking */

2015-08-30T18:13:40Z

Benefits of Shipbreaking

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 Every year, hundreds of ships make their final voyage from the high seas to shipbreaking yards where workers dismantle them for metal and other reusable components. These ships tend to have been deemed unsafe, their steel structures weakened by years of travel on the open ocean. Due to the high cost of repairs and modifications, ship owners often decide to retire ships after about 20 years. Finding cargo for ships of this age would prove extremely difficult, as cargo-booked ships over 20 years old struggle to qualify for insurance coverage. Asia hosts the majority of the world’s shipbreakers, and together, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, and China recycle "approximately 89% of the light-displacement tons scrapped worldwide."<ref name="dodds">Dodds, D. (2007). Breaking Up is Hard to Do: Environmental Effects of Shipwrecking and Possible Solutions Under India’s Environmental Regime. ''20 Pac. McGeorge Global Bus. and Dev. L.J., 207,'' 208-236.</ref>
 This shipbreaking hub exists in large part due to the absence of the kind of stringent environmental, occupational safety, and health regulations found in the European Union and the United States. Consequently, American and European shipbreaking facilities have difficulty competing with their Asian rivals.<ref name="chang">Chang, Y., N. Wang & O.S. Durak. (2010). Ship recycling and marine pollution. ''Marine Pollution Bulletin, 60,'' 1390-1396.</ref> It is worthy of note that Turkey also has a small shipbreaking industry.<ref name="galley"/> While shipbreakers have the opportunity to recover valuable materials for recycling, they must also deal with the toxic substances present in ships. Without proper treatment, ship toxins can endanger workers, local communities, and the environment.
 =='''Shipbreaking Methods'''==

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 == '''Ship Breaking Regulations''' ==
-''Further information'': [[Green Ships:Ship breaking Regulations|'''Current Ship Breaking Regulations''']]
+''Further information'': [[Green Ships:Ship breaking Regulations|'''Current Shipbreaking Regulations''']]
 == '''Green Ship Countries''' ==

@@ Line 69: / Line 69: @@
 == '''Green Ship Countries''' ==
-''Further information'': [[Green_Ships:Green_Ship_Countries|'''Countries''']]
+''Further information'': [[Green_Ships:Green_Ship_Countries|'''Shipbreaking Countries''']]
 == '''Alternative Solutions''' ==

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 A safer and cleaner alternative to beaching ships can be found in dry-dock shipbreaking. Dry docks are massive structures on which ships are decontaminated before being taken apart.<ref name="penn"/> Several nations, including China, the United States, and sometimes India, have dry-dock facilities. Unfortunately, this option is currently very expensive; one vessel might cost up to $800,000 to dry-dock and dismantle.<ref name="dodds"/> Nevertheless, dry-docking remains the most environmentally and socially sound shipbreaking alternative to beach shipbreaking. For information about alternatives to shipbreaking and specific ship dismantling processes, see [[Green Ships: Alternative Solutions]].
-==Slipway Shipbreaking==
+===Slipway Shipbreaking===
-==Alongside Shipbreaking==
+===Alongside Shipbreaking===
 =='''Benefits of Shipbreaking'''==

@@ Line 12: / Line 12: @@
 ===Dry-Dock Shipbreaking===
 A safer and cleaner alternative to beaching ships can be found in dry-dock shipbreaking. Dry docks are massive structures on which ships are decontaminated before being taken apart.<ref name="penn"/> Several nations, including China, the United States, and sometimes India, have dry-dock facilities. Unfortunately, this option is currently very expensive; one vessel might cost up to $800,000 to dry-dock and dismantle.<ref name="dodds"/> Nevertheless, dry-docking remains the most environmentally and socially sound shipbreaking alternative to beach shipbreaking. For information about alternatives to shipbreaking and specific ship dismantling processes, see [[Green Ships: Alternative Solutions]].
 =='''Benefits of Shipbreaking'''==

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 === Asbestos ===
-Asbestos, a historically popular building material, also presents a human health hazard. Despite increased restrictions on new ships, the insulation of old ships often contains asbestos. Inhalation of these fibers is associated with both lung disease and multiple kinds of cancer. In fact, "asbestos is the only known cause of mesothelioma, a cancer of the lungs, chest cavity, and abdomen."<ref name="dodds"/> Shipyard workers often develop asbestosis, a lung disease caused by asbestos.<ref name="dodds"/> In order to safely handle asbestos-containing materials, workers must wear highly protective clothing, including respirators and face masks.<ref name="penn"/>In many shipbreaking yards, workers do not take these kinds of precaution.<ref name="chang"/>
+Asbestos, a historically popular building material, also presents a human health hazard. Despite increased restrictions on new ships, the insulation of old ships often contains asbestos. Inhalation of these fibers is associated with both lung disease and multiple kinds of cancer. In fact, "asbestos is the only known cause of mesothelioma, a cancer of the lungs, chest cavity, and abdomen."<ref name="dodds"/> Shipyard workers often develop asbestosis, a lung disease caused by asbestos.<ref name="dodds"/> In order to safely handle asbestos-containing materials, workers must wear highly protective clothing, including respirators and face masks.<ref name="penn"/>In many shipbreaking yards, workers do not take these kinds of precautions.<ref name="chang"/>
 == '''Ship Breaking Regulations''' ==

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 ===Beach Shipbreaking===
-Many companies send ships to be disassembled and recycled in developing countries of South Asia. In India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan, bi-monthly extreme high tides allow these ships to be sailed onto beaches at full speed. Once the tide goes out, workers can begin to disassemble the beached vessels.<ref name="penn">20 Penn St. Int'l L. Rev. 535 2001-2002</ref> Many environmental and safety issues arise with this method of retiring ships (see [[Green Ships#Occupational Hazards|Occupational Hazards]] and [[Green Ships#Toxins: Health and Environmental Concerns|Toxins: Health and Environmental Concerns]]). While no international laws regulate how ships must be prepared for shipbreaking, international treaties – if enforced – would limit the toxins allowed on beached ships.<ref name="dodds"/>
+Many companies send ships to be disassembled and recycled in developing countries of Asia. In India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan, bi-monthly extreme high tides allow these ships to be sailed onto beaches at full speed. Once the tide goes out, workers can begin to disassemble the beached vessels.<ref name="penn">20 Penn St. Int'l L. Rev. 535 2001-2002</ref> Many environmental and safety issues arise with this method of retiring ships (see [[Green Ships#Occupational Hazards|Occupational Hazards]] and [[Green Ships#Toxins: Health and Environmental Concerns|Toxins: Health and Environmental Concerns]]). While no international laws regulate how ships must be prepared for shipbreaking, international treaties – if enforced – would limit the toxins allowed on beached ships.<ref name="dodds"/>
 ===Dry-Dock Shipbreaking===

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:52, 31 August 2015
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	=='''Environmental Impacts'''==		=='''Environmental Impacts'''==
		+	While dry-dock shipbreaking operations keep toxins contained, beach shipbreaking operations normally allow pollutants to enter the coastal environment. Oil and toxins pour into ocean water and seep into sand and soil. Seabirds, marine mammals, turtles, and fish frequently suffer health problems or die as a result. While mollusks, crustaceans, and fish are able to purify themselves after exposure to low levels of toxins, constant exposure can cause them to die. Moreover, people eating fish exposed to toxins risk ingesting large amounts of hazardous substances. Studies have found that 21 species of fish have disappeared in recent years in Bangladesh. Primary productivity, phytoplankton, zooplankton, and benthos have also diminished in and around shipbreaking yards.<ref name="hossain"/>
		+
		+	Toxins from shipbreaking also damage coastal geology and plant growth. Along the beaches of Chittagong in Bangladesh, oil and the constant disruption caused by moving ships and machinery have caused the disappearance of kelp, mangroves, and grasses. Shore erosion has also accelerated in recent years.<ref name="hossain"/>

	=='''Toxins: Health and Environmental Concerns''' ==		=='''Toxins: Health and Environmental Concerns''' ==

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 In addition to supporting the economy with commodities, shipbreaking also provides a huge number of jobs.  In India, about 1 million people work in the shipbreaking industry. Bangladesh and Pakistan also have large shipyard workforces.<ref name="penn"/> Unfortunately, these jobs are highly dangerous. See the section on [[Green Ships#Occupational Hazards|occupational hazards]] for more information on life in the shipbreaking industry.
 == '''Occupational Hazards'''==
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 Unfortunately, shipbreaking operations often concern themselves more with the profitability of the steel and ship parts than with the safety of the shipbreaking process. Dangerous working conditions occur particularly often in the beach shipbreaking operations of India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan.<ref name="chang"/> Workers find themselves exposed to harmful toxins, in danger of being injured by falling parts, and imperiled as they use dangerous tools.<ref name="chang"/> Slick surfaces, oxygen depletion in confined spaces, snapping cables, and biological hazards (e.g. infectious disease) also present dangers.<ref name="hossain"/> Historically, “[m]ost of the workers [did not] wear protective equipment such as helmets, masks, or goggles, and there [were] no warning signs of danger.”<ref name="chang"/> Recently, conditions in India have improved somewhat with the use of hard hats, boots, and gloves.<ref name="penn"/> Nevertheless, accidents and injuries are still common, and safety precautions in Bangladesh and Pakistan remain severely inadequate.<ref name="penn"/> In 2003, 88% of workers in Bangladesh reported suffering from some sort of injury.<ref name="hossain"/> In addition to the lack of safety equipment, there is no training to educate workers about the potential harms involved with shipbreaking operations. The majority of workers have not been trained to use blowtorches or to remove toxic materials.<ref name="chang"/> Consequently, they inhale noxious fumes produced by burning paint and ship coatings and may come in contact with hazardous materials.<ref name="chang"/> Low wages as well as poor sanitation and living conditions also make life in shipbreaking communities distinctly difficult.<ref name="galley"/> In India, the average daily pay for a shipbreaking worker is US $1.50.<ref name="penn"/> The workforce tends to be young, and in Bangladesh,about 11% of workers are under 18.<ref name="hossain"/> Click [[Green Ships:Green Ship Countries|here]] for more information on working conditions in each of the main shipbreaking countries.
 =='''Toxins: Health and Environmental Concerns''' ==

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 =='''Benefits of Shipbreaking'''==
-The shipbreaking industry provides shipbreaking countries with jobs and also large quantities of valuable materials which can be sold at bargain prices.<ref name="penn"/> Making up 95% of a ship’s hull, steel is the most plentiful recycled material. Producing steel with recycled rather than raw materials saves energy, and this recycled steel can then be used for construction.<ref name="dodds"/> Bangladesh depends on old ships for its steel supply, and shipbreaking in India alone produces 2.5 million tons of scrap steel every year. Old ship parts ranging from engines to air conditioners are also highly desirable.<ref name="penn"/>
+The beach shipbreaking industry provides shipbreaking countries with jobs and also large quantities of valuable materials which can be sold at bargain prices.<ref name="penn"/> Making up 95% of a ship’s hull, steel is the most plentiful recycled material. Producing steel with recycled rather than raw materials saves energy, and this recycled steel can then be used for construction.<ref name="dodds"/> Bangladesh depends on old ships for its steel supply, and shipbreaking in India alone produces 2.5 million tons of scrap steel every year. Old ship parts ranging from engines to air conditioners are also highly desirable.<ref name="penn"/>
 In addition to supporting the economy with commodities, shipbreaking also provides a huge number of jobs.  In India, about 1 million people work in the shipbreaking industry. Bangladesh and Pakistan also have large shipyard workforces.<ref name="penn"/> Unfortunately, these jobs are highly dangerous. See the section on [[Green Ships#Occupational Hazards|occupational hazards]] for more information on life in the shipbreaking industry.