Gadani ship-breaking yard, Ship breaking yard in Gadani, Pakistan
Gadani ship-breaking yard stretches along a long stretch of coast with numerous plots for the systematic dismantling of vessels. The facility is organized to handle multiple ships simultaneously at different stages of the breaking process.
The yard developed into a leading facility of the ship-breaking industry starting in the 1980s. During this period, the site employed tens of thousands of workers and continuously processed retired vessels.
The yard shapes the local community deeply, as generations of workers have passed down specialized skills in ship dismantling as a way of life. This work is woven into the identity of the region and defines daily routines for many families.
The site lies northwest of Karachi along the coast and is relatively easy to reach. Visitors should know that this is an active industrial operation, and access may be restricted in certain areas.
The yard is one of the few places in the world where workers completely dismantle old ships and sort metal for reuse through hands-on methods. These craft techniques have barely changed and stand apart from automated processes elsewhere.
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