Bangladesh Shipbreaking Case Is Causing International Ripples

“Shipbreaking” is the practice by which oceangoing ships which reach their end of their working life are dismantled.

In July 2020, in a case where Leigh Day acted for the Claimant, an important judgment was handed down in the High Court which could lead to significant changes to how the shipping industry approaches shipbreaking.

According to leading NGO Shipbreaking Platform, more than 70 per cent of the approximately 800 vessels reaching the end of their operating lives annually are broken up on the beaches of India, Bangladesh and Pakistan under rudimentary and dangerous conditions.

The International Labour Organization says:

“Shipbreaking has grown into a major occupational and environmental health problem in the world. It is amongst the most dangerous of occupations, with unacceptably high levels of fatalities, injuries and work-related diseases.”