GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Sep 14, 2026
Ship recycling
Ship recycling is the controlled dismantling of end-of-life vessels and the recovery of their materials, mainly steel, copper, aluminium and machinery components.
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Source: Frachtportal-News «EU startet maritime Industrieallianz für Schiffe und Häfen» (14.09.2026); Europäische Kommission, EU Industrial Maritime Strategy COM(2026)111
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Definition & Explanation
Ship recycling is the controlled dismantling of end-of-life vessels and the recovery of their materials, mainly steel, copper, aluminium and machinery components. The process starts with decontamination: asbestos, PCBs, waste oil, refrigerants and residual fuels must be removed before the hull is cut up. The legal framework is the IMO Hong Kong Convention and, in Europe, the EU Ship Recycling Regulation, which requires EU-flagged ships to be dismantled in approved facilities; every vessel carries an inventory of hazardous materials. Globally, most dismantling still takes place in South Asia, which draws criticism over occupational safety and environmental damage. For shipowners, a vessel's scrap value is a factor in fleet renewal and demolition decisions. Ship recycling should not be confused with wreck removal, which concerns casualties.
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