Chittagong Ship Breaking yard, Ship breaking yard in Sitakunda, Bangladesh
The Chittagong ship breaking facility is a sprawling industrial complex spread along the coastline where hundreds of work sites dismantle vessels into salvageable materials. The yards use sandy beaches as working surfaces, where teams with cutting torches and hand tools systematically remove metal sections and other components.
The facility began in the 1960s when a stranded vessel was dismantled by local workers, establishing what would become a major industry. Over decades, this initial effort grew into one of the region's largest sources of raw materials and employment.
The yards have shaped how local communities organize their daily work and income around ship dismantling for generations. Visitors notice how this activity defines the rhythm of the coastal area and connects families to the sea through employment rather than traditional fishing.
Access requires special permissions, and visitors should expect uneven terrain and loud working conditions throughout the area. It is wise to inquire in advance and visit only with proper guidance to understand potential hazards before exploring.
The yard processes a substantial share of global ship recycling and supplies the nation's economy with recovered steel for construction and manufacturing projects. This concentrated industrial activity on a beach transforms old vessels directly into materials for new buildings and infrastructure.
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