EU ship recycling: Only 5% of tonnage processed in Europe

A report by Shipbreaking Platform and Transport & Environment (T&E) reveals that only 5% of the tonnage of EU-owned and EU-flagged ships was recycled in Europe between 2019 and 2025. Despite having sufficient domestic capacity to handle these vessels, the vast majority of the 706 ships dismantled during this period were processed elsewhere.

Approximately 66% of the total tonnage was dismantled in India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan, often using beaching practices that raise environmental and safety concerns. The remaining vessels were primarily dismantled in Turkish shipbreaking yards. The report notes that 102 ships changed their EU flags to other jurisdictions shortly before dismantling to circumvent stricter European regulations.

Critics argue this trend represents a failure of EU industrial strategy. By allowing valuable, recoverable steel to be exported to third markets, the EU misses opportunities to bolster material autonomy and reduce dependence on imported critical materials. The European Commission is currently considering proposals that could add certain beaching facilities to its approved list, a move that environmental groups warn may facilitate the overseas dumping of ships.