Leading change in ship recycling industry

A.P. Moller - Maersk aspires to lead the transformation of the global ship recycling industry to promote responsible practices, greater transparency and a level playing field. We urge all other ship owners to do the same and become a driving force for a safe and responsible, global ship recycling industry.

Tackling an industry-wide problem

No less than 85% of all ships are dismantled at sub-standard facilities in South Asia. This happens despite many large shipowners having a policy on responsible ship recycling.

This is an industry problem which leads to widespread underpayments, unsafe working conditions and environmental pollution as well as an uneven playing field within the shipping industry.

No shipowner can solve this alone.

High standard and strong implementation

In the absence of relevant and enforced global legislation, market-based solutions are needed to make responsible ship recycling a reality. A high, voluntary standard must go hand in hand with strong implementation on the ground, achieved through robust supervision and audits.

Responsible Ship Recycling Standard

  • Since 2009, A.P. Moller - Maersk has had a responsible ship recycling standard based on a strict interpretation of the Hong Kong Convention regarding health, safety and environmental issues.
  • Makes additional demands regarding practices.
  • The standard goes beyond the Hong Kong Convention, e.g. by eliminating contact with the intertidal zone and by introducing clean blockswithin anti-corruption, subcontractor conditions, labour and human rights as well as waste management – all based on international standards.
  • Limits our scope for selling old vessels near end of life, to eliminate incentives for selling vessels with the aim of substandard recycling by third parties.
DOWNLOAD RESPONSIBLE SHIP RECYCLING STANDARD
responsible ship recycling

Explore our recycling activities

Read more related stories

Case studies Environmental impacts in Alang
To assess the environmental impacts of A.P. Moller - Maersk’s recycling practices, an independent research company has examined levels of polluting substances in the seawater on industrial beaches in Alang. Explore the results.
To assess the environmental impacts of A.P. Moller - Maersk’s recycling practices, an independent research company has examined levels of polluting substances in the seawater on industrial beaches in Alang. Explore the results. 28 Oct 2019
Case studies Breaking the stalemate
What are the current and future challenges in the ship recycling industry and what is Maersk’s take on how to solve them? Read this feature story by John Kornerup Bang, Head of Sustainability Strategy & Shared Value at A.P. Moller - Maersk.
What are the current and future challenges in the ship recycling industry and what is Maersk’s take on how to solve them? Read this feature story by John Kornerup Bang, Head of Sustainability Strategy & Shared Value at A.P. Moller - Maersk. 25 Oct 2019
News Human rights and ship recycling – dialogue with United Nations experts
In February 2018, two United Nations human rights experts invited A.P. Moller - Maersk to share our perspective on human rights in ship recycling including the sale in 2016 of the North Sea Producer, a vessel that was owned by a joint venture in which Maersk had a 50% shareholding
In February 2018, two United Nations human rights experts invited A.P. Moller - Maersk to share our perspective on human rights in ship recycling including the sale in 2016 of the North Sea Producer, a vessel that was owned by a joint venture in which Maersk had a 50% shareholding 25 Oct 2019
News In Alang, the word is spreading
Ship recycling in India has been synonymous with poor working conditions and environmental risk. Then a few pioneers began investing in equipment and people, paving the way for first-mover Indian shipyard Shree Ram to win a contract to recycle two A.P. Moller - Maersk vessels. With help from the company's onsite team, Shree Ram is changing.
Ship recycling in India has been synonymous with poor working conditions and environmental risk. Then a few pioneers began investing in equipment and people, paving the way for first-mover Indian shipyard Shree Ram to win a contract to recycle two A.P. Moller - Maersk vessels. With help from the company's onsite team, Shree Ram is changing. 25 Oct 2019
Case studies Responsible ship recycling in Alang is possible
To assess the environmental impacts of A.P. Moller - Maersk’s recycling practices, an independent research company has examined levels of polluting substances in the seawater on industrial beaches in Alang. Explore the results.
To assess the environmental impacts of A.P. Moller - Maersk’s recycling practices, an independent research company has examined levels of polluting substances in the seawater on industrial beaches in Alang. Explore the results. 25 Oct 2019
News Maersk tightens its ship recycling procedures
Maersk is introducing contractual steps to ensure that its sales contracts include a strong financial incentive for ship recycling to be carried out responsibly.
Maersk is introducing contractual steps to ensure that its sales contracts include a strong financial incentive for ship recycling to be carried out responsibly. 03 Jan 2017

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