Brownsville Ship Recycling

Port of Brownsville, Texas, United States · United States · Founded 1988

Plot count: 3
Capacity: 200,000 LDT/year
HKC compliance: Fully HKC-compliant; also handles US Navy Inactive Ships Programme + Maritime Administration Reserve Fleet recycling under strict US EPA + OSHA oversight.
ISO 30000: Certified
Typical vessels: US Navy decommissioned warships (including nuclear-safe surface combatants after de-fuelling), MSC reserve fleet, Jones Act coastal + Great Lakes tonnage.

Overview

Brownsville, Texas hosts three US-flag ship-recycling contractors (International Shipbreaking Limited, All Star Metals, Marine Metals) that between them handle almost all US-flag recycling tonnage plus the US Navy Inactive Ships Programme + MARAD Reserve Fleet. Yards operate to full US EPA + OSHA standards on concrete-lined recycling docks; fatality rates are the lowest in the industry. Brownsville is the primary recycling destination for the aging US-flag Jones Act coastal + Great Lakes fleet, the MSC civilian mariner reserve, and — following de-fuelling at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard — US Navy nuclear-powered surface combatants (though the reactor compartments are handled separately at Hanford). For seafarers, Brownsville is a specialist career destination — many superintendent + safety-officer roles are filled by ex-MSC civilian mariners or ex-US Navy chief petty officers.

Safety

Sector-leading safety record. Occasional single-worker incidents; comprehensive OSHA enforcement.

Career pathway

OSHA-30 + IHM surveyor + secret security clearance (for USN work) are the specialist qualifications. Ex-MSC civilian mariner + ex-USCG marine inspector are the two dominant career paths into Brownsville recycling roles.