Inside the most back-breaking job on Earth

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Inside the most back-breaking job on Earth

Emil Lendof

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Jan 27, 2017

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The Dangerous Ship Breaking Industry In Bangladesh

Demolishing a ship for scrap metal, or ship breaking, is a lucrative and dangerous business. There are more than 100 shipyards in Sitakunda Beach, Bangladesh, where workers toil in brutal conditions everyday. Barcroft Images

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A worker during one of his long 12-14 hour shifts. Barcroft Images

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Between 300 and 500 workers can spend up to four months dismantling a single ship. Barcroft Images

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A ship breaker takes a breather on the beach. Barcroft Images

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The ship breaking industry began in the 1960s and 70s after a ship washed up on Sitakunda Beach and was later sold for scrap. Bangladesh is now one of the world’s leaders in ship breaking. Barcroft Images

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Roughly 90 percent of each ship is recycled. Barcroft Images

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Anything not recycled is sold on stalls along the neighboring highway in Sitakunda Beach. Barcroft Images

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Conditions are dangerous for ship breakers and death and permanent injury are not uncommon. Barcroft Images

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Workers earn about two and four dollars per day of work. Barcroft Images

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*** EXCLUSIVE *** SITAKUNDA BEACH, BANGLADESH – FEBRUARY 2012: Between 300 and 500 workers can spend up to four months dismantling a single ship in Sitakunda Beach, Bangladesh, February 2012…. Barcroft Images

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*** EXCLUSIVE *** SITAKUNDA BEACH, BANGLADESH – FEBRUARY 2012: Ship breaking has become a lucrative and over 100 shipyards are on the beach in Sitakunda Beach, Bangladesh, February 2012. A… Barcroft Images

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