Chittagong Ship Recycling Yards
Sitakunda coast, north of Chittagong, Bangladesh · Bangladesh · Founded 1965
- Plot count
- 65
- Capacity
- 2,500,000 LDT/year
- HKC compliance
- Bangladesh Parliament ratified HKC 2023 (accession); DoS (Department of Shipping) implementing the Ship Recycling Act 2018. Handful of yards HKC-Ready compliant as of 2024; most remain non-compliant.
- ISO 30000
- Not certified
- Typical vessels
- Bulkers, tankers, VLCCs, container ships. Chittagong historically specialised in large tankers due to the deep-water beaching plots.
Overview
Chittagong (formally the Sitakunda coast) hosts ~65 ship-recycling plots between the Karnaphuli river mouth and the Sitakunda coastline. Bangladesh ratified the Hong Kong Convention in September 2023 and the sector is now undergoing a substantial legislative upgrading process under the Ship Recycling Act 2018, but progress is uneven — as of 2024 only ~12 yards hold HKC-Ready fitness assessment. The remainder operate under Bangladesh Environment Conservation Rules only. Chittagong specialises in larger vessels than Alang: VLCCs, capesize bulkers, and mega-container ships (post-HKC ratification, Chittagong is expected to remain the primary destination for the largest recyclable tonnage). NGO Shipbreaking Platform continues to publish quarterly reports flagging fatality incidents; the sector remains the deadliest maritime workplace in South Asia.
Safety
Highest-recorded fatalities per plot in the world 2010-2020. NGO Shipbreaking Platform's Annual List repeatedly flagged Chittagong as the deadliest yard sector globally.
Career pathway
Career pathway similar to Alang but earlier-stage: HKC compliance-officer roles are opening up as more yards seek Fitness Assessment. English-speaking marine surveyors with Bangladeshi language capability command a substantial premium.