Inside PHP Shipyard: A Glimpse of Safe-Sustainable Shipbreaking in Bangladesh
Chattogram, Bangladesh — April 22, 2025
Last week, a delegation of global union representatives and safety experts toured the PHP ship recycling yard in Chattogram, Bangladesh — one of the region’s most advanced and responsible shipbreaking facilities.
Liton Mazumder and Mohammed Zahirul Islam of PHP Group hosted the group for a five-hour visit, providing a comprehensive walkthrough of a large bulk carrier undergoing dismantling. From the hull to the bridge and engine room, the team inspected safety protocols, technical innovations, personal protective equipment (PPE), and hazard management.
Mr. Zahirul Islam also offered insight into the broader economic and political pressures facing the industry. He discussed the high costs of upgrading facilities, sourcing quality PPE, fluctuating steel prices, and the long timelines required to dismantle vessels safely — all critical challenges for Bangladeshi shipbreakers striving to meet international standards.
The visiting team included Martijn van de Beurcht, safety expert with Dutch union FNV; Lennart Feijen, FNV’s metal sector official; Vidyadhar Rane from Indian union ASSRGWA; and Ashutosh Bhattacharya and Shariful Islam from global union IndustriALL.
The delegation praised PHP’s meticulous approach to shipbreaking, citing its focus on injury prevention and environmental protection. “This yard demonstrates what South Asia can achieve with the right investment,” one member noted.
Despite the commendation, concerns remain. “Mr. Zahirul Islam runs an excellent operation, but such excellence is voluntary and rare,” a delegation member observed. Only seven Bangladeshi yards currently meet the Hong Kong Convention’s safety and environmental standards, raising questions about government oversight and industry-wide consistency.
The visit highlighted both the promise and the ongoing challenges of transforming shipbreaking in South Asia — a sector with vast potential, but one still in need of stronger regulatory enforcement and broader compliance.
