HRW: European Companies Ditching Toxic Ships on Bangladesh Beaches
The Facts
Human Rights Watch (HRW) has claimed that European shipping firms are dumping their old ships on dangerous and polluting scrap yards on beaches in Bangladesh, allegedly using loopholes in international regulations to make profit at the expense of Bangladeshi lives and the environment.
Though ships sailing under an EU flag are required to recycle their ships in EU-approved facilities — none of which are located in Bangladesh — companies are reportedly able to circumvent these regulations by buying flags of convenience from other countries.
The Spin
Narrative A
Many European shipping companies deliberately use loopholes in international regulations to beach their end-of-life ships in Bangladesh where protections are known to be inadequate. Instead of trying to profiteer by greenwashing unsafe practices, these firms should invest in building stable platform facilities that protect workers' rights and correctly handle waste disposal.
Narrative B
It's certain that working conditions at many shipbreaking yards in Bangladesh remain precarious, but the country has been gradually addressing these issues over the past decade in compliance with international regulations. If it weren't for setbacks including the pandemic and the Ukraine War, all yards in the South Asian nation would have already turned into green facilities that prioritize workers safety and the environment.
