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Jiangyin, Jiangsu province, China · China · Founded 1980
Jiangyin on the Yangtze estuary is China's largest ship-recycling cluster and the industry model for dock-based (as opposed to beach-based) recycling in Asia. Yards operate concrete dry docks with mechanical cranes; the environmental and safety profile is substantially better than beaching-method yards. Jiangyin primarily processes Chinese-flag domestic tonnage plus returning Chinese-controlled foreign-flag vessels at end-of-life. The Chinese government's tonnage-recycling subsidy scheme (particularly during the 2016-2020 downturn) drove significant volume, though the market has cooled since 2022. For non-Chinese-controlled vessels, Jiangyin pricing is typically 30-50% below Alang — but customs, translation, and delivery complexity add costs that make the delivered pricing similar. Chinese owners rarely recycle their tonnage outside China due to domestic subsidy structures.
Dock-based recycling method (no tidal beaching); fatality rate closer to European yards than to South Asian.
Chinese-language capability is essential; limited career pathway for non-Mandarin speakers. Chinese Register of Shipping (CCS) HKC certification programme is a career pathway for Chinese-national marine surveyors.