shipbreaking
Demolishing retired ships
Shipbreaking is the dismantling of decommissioned vessels for scrap metal and salvageable parts.
The work is labor-intensive and hazardous, often performed on beaches in South Asia where workers cut apart massive hulls by hand.
The shipbreaking industry in Bangladesh employs thousands despite dangerous conditions.
Also called ship breaking or shipwrecking.
Bangladeshi port city
- beachingLanding on shore
- tidal flatsCoastline exposed at low water
- intertidal zoneShore covered and uncovered daily
- slipwayInclined shore for launching
Taking apart systematically
- cuttingDividing via sharp edge
- torchingSetting fire to
- disassemblySeparating into components
- strippingRemoving outer layers
deconstruction · wrecking · scrapping · beaching · blowtorch · acetylene · crane · winch
People doing jobs
- cuttersDevices for severing material
- torchbearersThose carrying lit flames
- riggersThose who install cables
- crewsWorking groups aboard
manual labor · wages · Chittagong · migrant workers · exploitation · child labor · fatalities · injuries
Carbon-hardened iron alloy
- scrap metalDiscarded reusable iron and steel
- copperReddish-brown metallic element
- aluminumElement thirteen
- brassCopper-zinc metal mixture
iron · engines · propellers · anchors · chains · hulls · pipes · wiring
Recovering damaged goods
- reclamationRecovery of something lost
- recoveryRegaining what was lost
- reuseEmploy something again
- repurposingAdapting for different use
scrap value · metal recycling · circular economy · resource extraction · decommissioning · end-of-life · reprocessing
Fibrous fireproofing mineral
- heavy metalsDense metallic environmental contaminants
- lead paintPigment containing heavy metal
- PCBsBanned synthetic toxins
- toxic fumesHarmful airborne vapors
contamination · explosion risk · confined spaces · falling debris · carcinogens · inhalation · protective gear · safety protocols
Chittagong
Bangladeshi port city
- beachingLanding on shore
- tidal flatsCoastline exposed at low water
- intertidal zoneShore covered and uncovered daily
dismantling
Taking apart systematically
- cuttingDividing via sharp edge
- torchingSetting fire to
- disassemblySeparating into components
stripping · deconstruction · wrecking · scrapping · beaching · blowtorch · acetylene · crane · winch · chainfall
workers
People doing jobs
- cuttersDevices for severing material
- torchbearersThose carrying lit flames
- riggersThose who install cables
crews · manual labor · wages · Chittagong · migrant workers · exploitation · child labor · fatalities · injuries · working conditions
steel
Carbon-hardened iron alloy
- scrap metalDiscarded reusable iron and steel
- copperReddish-brown metallic element
- aluminumElement thirteen
brass · iron · engines · propellers · anchors · chains · hulls · pipes · wiring · machinery
salvage
Recovering damaged goods
- reclamationRecovery of something lost
- recoveryRegaining what was lost
- reuseEmploy something again
repurposing · scrap value · metal recycling · circular economy · resource extraction · decommissioning · end-of-life · reprocessing
asbestos
Fibrous fireproofing mineral
- heavy metalsDense metallic environmental contaminants
- lead paintPigment containing heavy metal
- PCBsBanned synthetic toxins
toxic fumes · contamination · explosion risk · confined spaces · falling debris · carcinogens · inhalation · protective gear · safety protocols · chemical exposure
- dangerous jobsfirefighting, bomb disposal, crab fishing, offshore drilling, oil rigs
- ChittagongChittagong, port city, economic hub, trade center, business hub
shipbreakingshipbuilding
Constructing maritime vessels
ship construction · naval construction · boat building · launching · ship launching
break, ship, broken, breaking, shipping, ships, shipment, shipped, breaker