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.