NGO Shipbreaking Platform has released the second South Asia Quarterly report about the shipbreaking industry, presenting the most significant developments.
According to the report, between April and June 2024, a total of 94 ships were dismantled worldwide, compared to 127 in Q1. In South Asia, Bangladesh led the way with 48 ships, followed by India with 23 ships and Pakistan with 4 ships. In Turkey, 11 ships were dismantled, while the EU and the rest of the world contributed 8 ships to the total dismantling figures. Notably, China did not dismantle any ships during this period. Furthermore, at least 4 workers suffered an accident while scrapping ships on South Asian beaches.
Developments in Bangladesh
On 14 February 2022, Kohinoor Steel was granted a lease for five acres of land despite objections from the Forest Department. Forest officials alleged that the lease was secured based on the false claim that the land was located in North Salimpur, and within the shipbreaking industry zone. Hence, Platform’s member Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA) issued legal notices to various parties and filed a contempt of court plea for re-leasing the land. Since then, the lease has been canceled twice by the High Court.
Despite this, on 26 April, Kohinoor’s owner, Abul Kashem, regained the five-acre coastal land in Chattogram’s Sitakunda after appealing to the divisional commissioner of Chattogram. The Divisional Commissioner, Md Tofayel Islam, stated that Kohinoor’s lease was reinstated after proper review and scrutiny of the documents. This appeal was against the deputy commissioner’s office decision to cancel the lease.
Ship caught fire at Arefin Enterprise yard
On 18 May, a ship that was being scrapped at Arefin Enterprise shipbreaking yard in Bhatiary, Sitakunda in Chattogram caught fire at 4:10 PM while workers were cutting the ship. The blaze soon engulfed the engine room of the ship. Since there was oil in the engine room, it took considerable time to extinguish the fire. Fortunately, no casualties were reported.
Workers demand minimum wages
The Shipbreaking Workers Trade Union Forum organized a human chain in Chattogram to demand the minimum monthly wage of shipbreaking workers to be set at Tk 20,000. The introduction of a minimum wage for shipbreaking workers was announced in 2018 but has never been enforced. Once again, the workers requested that the Eid-ul-Adha bonus, marking a significant Muslim celebration, be paid by 10 June, along with the full salary for May and a partial salary for June. They urged the Directorate of Inspection of Factories and Institutions (DIFE) to ensure these payments are made.
