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With a significant number of ships expected to reach the end of their service life in the coming years, ship recycling presents a strategic opportunity for Europe to meet its goals on circularity and cleaner industrial policies.<\/p>\n
The NGO Shipbreaking Platform participated in the European Commission\u2019s consultation on an upcoming game-changing legislation: the Circular Economy Act. Our main point is clear: ship recycling presents a significant opportunity to achieve not only enhanced circularity, but also the EU\u2019s strategic autonomy, decarbonisation and competitiveness objectives, while putting an end to the export of harmful waste to third countries.<\/p>\n
In particular, we highlight the role ship recycling can play for the decarbonisation of the European steel and construction sectors. The world\u2019s fleet is not only growing, but also aging, which will create more opportunities for steel recycling as it is ships\u2019 default building material. Studies predict an even five-fold increase of ships sent for dismantling in the next decade, which could yield more than 100 million tonnes of high-quality steel. Since steel recycling saves 1.5 tonnes of CO\u2082 compared to raw steel, this would lead to huge emissions reductions and significantly limit pollution. Also, innovative projects have demonstrated how we can directly re-use ship steel in sectors such as construction.<\/p>\n
However, the vast majority of end-of-life ships end up on Bangladeshi, Indian or Pakistani beaches, where the dismantling and recycling practices are far from safe. Only 1% of EU-owned vessels are recycled in Europe.<\/p>\n
\u201cOwning one third of the world\u2019s fleet, the European Union has a duty to lead the way and set an ambitious example for sustainable ship recycling. Instead of destroying fragile coastal ecosystems, and putting workers in third countries\u2019 health at risk, EU-owned end-of-life ships should contribute to decarbonisation and circularity efforts.\u201d
\nIngvild Jenssen \u2013 Executive Director \u2013 NGO Shipbreaking Platform<\/p>\n
Platform News \u2013 EU Circular Economy Act: ship recycling can help decarbonise the EU\u2019s steel and construction sectors
\nPublished in November 16th, 2025
\nWith a significant number of ships expected to reach the end of their service life in the coming years, ship recycling presents a strategic opportunity for Europe to meet its goals on circularity and cleaner industrial policies.<\/p>\n
The NGO Shipbreaking Platform participated in the European Commission\u2019s consultation on an upcoming game-changing legislation: the Circular Economy Act. Our main point is clear: ship recycling presents a significant opportunity to achieve not only enhanced circularity, but also the EU\u2019s strategic autonomy, decarbonisation and competitiveness objectives, while putting an end to the export of harmful waste to third countries.<\/p>\n
In particular, we highlight the role ship recycling can play for the decarbonisation of the European steel and construction sectors. The world\u2019s fleet is not only growing, but also aging, which will create more opportunities for steel recycling as it is ships\u2019 default building material. Studies predict an even five-fold increase of ships sent for dismantling in the next decade, which could yield more than 100 million tonnes of high-quality steel. Since steel recycling saves 1.5 tonnes of CO\u2082 compared to raw steel, this would lead to huge emissions reductions and significantly limit pollution. Also, innovative projects have demonstrated how we can directly re-use ship steel in sectors such as construction.<\/p>\n
However, the vast majority of end-of-life ships end up on Bangladeshi, Indian or Pakistani beaches, where the dismantling and recycling practices are far from safe. Only 1% of EU-owned vessels are recycled in Europe.<\/p>\n
\u201cOwning one third of the world\u2019s fleet, the European Union has a duty to lead the way and set an ambitious example for sustainable ship recycling. Instead of destroying fragile coastal ecosystems, and putting workers in third countries\u2019 health at risk, EU-owned end-of-life ships should contribute to decarbonisation and circularity efforts.\u201d
\nIngvild Jenssen \u2013 Executive Director \u2013 NGO Shipbreaking Platform
\nThe Circular Economy Act is a key opportunity to shift the sector towards more sustainable practices. The NGO Shipbreaking Platform therefore calls on the European Commission to include in its proposal:<\/p>\n
\u2013 A clear prioritisation of eco-design and upcycling practices that promote reuse over recycling;<\/p>\n
\u2013 An explicit recognition of the EU-owned fleet as a material bank of high-quality steel, and ship-derived steel as a strategic source of secondary raw material;<\/p>\n
\u2013 Enhanced product information transparency to facilitate the circulation of ship materials across industries, notably through creation of a Ship Material Passport;<\/p>\n
\u2013 Ambitious lead market measures for end-of-life ships materials including mandatory circular public procurement targets;<\/p>\n
\u2013 Strong circularity incentives for the maritime sector including a ship recycling return scheme;<\/p>\n
\u2013 Clear support to circular innovations and research;<\/p>\n
\u2013 Decisive action to close legal and enforcement loopholes on end-of-life ship exports, in particular by reviewing the EU Ship Recycling Regulation.<\/p>\n
We welcome and support any action leading to preventing exports of hazardous waste, and unleashing the circular economy\u2019s potential with its numerous benefits. We therefore call on the European Commission to recognize the strategic role of ship recycling in achieving circularity of the EU economy, and to include the proposed measures to unlock this potential in the Circular Economy Act.<\/p>\n
Click here<\/a><\/em> to access our full position paper.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n