NOREC Director General Visits Green Ship Breaking and Recycling Yards in Bangladesh
A high-level Norwegian delegation visited Bangladesh’s shipbreaking hub in Shitakundo, Chattogram, last week, marking a fresh boost to the country’s ongoing efforts to modernize its ship recycling industry in line with global safety and environmental standards. Ambassador of Norway to Bangladesh, Håkon Arald Gulbrandsen, along with Jan Olav Baarøy, Director General of the Norwegian Agency for Exchange Cooperation (NOREC), toured three upgraded shipbreaking and recycling yards to review progress under the Safe and Environmentally Sound Ship Recycling in Bangladesh (SENSREC) project.
The visit underscored Norway’s long-standing partnership with Bangladesh in transforming the shipbreaking sector—an industry of significant economic importance to the country but historically challenged by hazardous working conditions and environmental risks. Their engagement aligns closely with the framework of the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships (HKC), which Bangladesh is working toward implementing with international support.
Norway and Bangladesh, together with the International Maritime Organization (IMO), have been collaborating for several years through the multi-phase SENSREC programme. The initiative aims to enhance worker safety, improve environmental compliance, and establish robust mechanisms for handling and processing hazardous materials generated during ship dismantling.
At the yards, the visiting delegation held discussions with senior management, safety supervisors, and compliance officers. These exchanges highlighted both the progress achieved and the challenges that remain in aligning local operations with HKC requirements. Yard officials showcased improvements in personal protective equipment usage, emergency response systems, and operational monitoring, alongside investments in impermeable floors, waste segregation areas, and better drainage systems to prevent contamination.
The Norwegian delegation reaffirmed their commitment to extending technical and institutional support to help Bangladesh’s recyclers meet global benchmarks. The industry, which supplies more than half of Bangladesh’s steel demand, has been under growing international scrutiny. Norway’s consistent involvement through capacity building, funding, and knowledge sharing is seen as vital for sustaining the positive momentum.
Ambassador Gulbrandsen noted that the ongoing SENSREC Phase 3 has delivered substantial progress on several fronts, including improved institutional mechanisms for the safe handling, storage, and treatment of hazardous waste materials such as asbestos, oils, paints, and heavy metals. He highlighted that the programme has helped establish clearer guidelines and strengthened inter-agency coordination within Bangladesh, enabling more structured oversight of ship recycling operations.
“SENSREC’s third phase has made remarkable advances, particularly in hazardous waste management and institutional strengthening. Norway remains committed to supporting Bangladesh in building a safer and environmentally responsible ship recycling sector,” the Ambassador said during the visit.
NOREC Director General Jan Olav Baarøy echoed the Ambassador’s views, emphasising the importance of the partnership in uplifting working conditions and ensuring environmentally sound practices. He reaffirmed Norway’s continued support for the sector’s transformation, noting that improvements in safety systems and waste treatment are critical not only for compliance with international conventions but also for protecting the livelihoods of thousands of workers employed in the industry.
Bangladesh remains one of the world’s top destinations for end-of-life vessels, and the country’s efforts to modernize its shipbreaking landscape come at a pivotal moment. With the Hong Kong Convention set to enter into force, global buyers and ship managers increasingly prefer recycling yards that demonstrate compliance with international norms.
The Norwegian delegation’s visit signals a renewed phase of collaboration aimed at helping Bangladesh secure its place as a responsible and competitive ship recycling nation. As SENSREC continues to drive reforms through training programmes, institutional development, and environmental upgrades, stakeholders on both sides express optimism that Bangladesh’s yards will emerge safer, greener, and more globally aligned in the years ahead.
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