Pakistan’s Shipbuilding Sector Faces Urgent Challenges
western countries send ships to gadani under falsified documents
Islamabad’s shipbuilding industry is at a critical juncture, according to Rear Admiral Salman Ilyas, Managing Director of Karachi Shipyard. Speaking at a recent webinar organized by the Sustainable Development Policy Institute, he emphasized the sector’s importance for national development while highlighting its current neglect. The discussion centered on sustainable practices in ship recycling and the need for Pakistan to enhance its capabilities in this vital industry.
Challenges and Opportunities in Shipbuilding
Admiral Salman pointed out that leading maritime nations like China, the United States, and South Korea have successfully utilized shipbuilding to foster economic sustainability. In contrast, Pakistan struggles with a lack of class-certified steel manufacturers, which are essential for constructing ships. The complexity of ship structures makes them difficult to dismantle and recycle, with most materials, aside from steel, going to waste. He noted that while steel is a significant recyclable resource, the absence of proper certification standards limits its potential contribution to a circular economy.
To address these challenges, Karachi Shipyard is adopting cleaner shipbuilding processes. This includes responsible waste management, oil spill control, and efficiency-driven manufacturing techniques such as water jet cutting. These measures aim to enhance operational efficiency while minimizing environmental impact.
Dr. Abid Qaiyum Suleri, Executive Director of SDPI, underscored Pakistan’s strategic maritime position and its role in the global recycling value chain, particularly through the Gadani shipbreaking industry. He raised concerns about the environmental and labor issues associated with traditional shipbreaking methods, including chemical spills and hazardous material dumping. Dr. Suleri called for the adoption of green ship recycling practices to mitigate these threats to biodiversity and local communities.
Path Forward: Sustainable Practices and Economic Growth
Dr. Suleri also highlighted a recent documentary revealing that Western countries often send ships to Gadani with falsified documents to evade their responsibilities for hazardous waste management. This practice violates international regulations, including the Hong Kong Convention and EU Ship Recycling Regulations. He emphasized the need for Pakistan to balance economic sustainability with adherence to global environmental and safety standards.
The discussion also touched on the importance of inclusivity in sustainable ship recycling. Dr. Suleri advocated for practices that ensure marginalized communities and women benefit from economic opportunities without exposure to toxic materials. Vice-Admiral (retired) Ahmed Saeed, President of the National Institute of Maritime Affairs, echoed this sentiment, stating that transitioning to a circular maritime economy could create new job opportunities, especially for women.
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Experts like Dr. Fasiha Safdar from NIMA and Dr. Aneel Salman from IPRI emphasized the potential of a circular economy to reduce waste and pollution. They noted that Pakistan’s Gadani Shipbreaking Yard, the third-largest globally, could play a crucial role in the recycling industry, similar to Bangladesh, which meets 60% of its steel demand through ship recycling.
Industry representatives, including Jawed Iqbal, called for stronger regulatory measures and investment in modern recycling facilities. Upgrading infrastructure and adopting advanced dismantling techniques, such as plasma arc cutting and high-pressure water jet cutting, could significantly enhance operational efficiency, worker safety, and environmental sustainability.
