How Alang Shipyard Works

Alang shipbreaking yard is the largest ship recycling facility in the world. It is located in the state of Gujarat in India along the coastlines of Alang, 185 miles (298 kilometers) northwest of Mumbai. The shipbreaking yard plays an integral role in the global maritime industry by recycling end-of-life vessels or large abandoned ships. It adheres to environmental and safety measures to maintain a balance between economic growth and environmental responsibility. R.L. Kalthia has brought this blog to shed light on how Alang Shipyard Works and contributes to the global shipbreaking industry. 

Exploring the Ship Recycling Process in Alang Shipbreaking Yard 

To fully understand how the Alang Shipyard works, it is important to be aware of how the ship recycling process takes place at the shipyard. The process begins with the arrival of ships after the necessary inspections and paperwork are conducted to ensure compliance with regulations. After this, the preparatory regulations are followed to ensure the safety of the workforce working in the shipbreaking yard. The preparatory phase includes the following steps:

• Inventory and documentation: An elaborate inventory is created, documenting the ship’s equipment, components, and materials that can be used for further processing and recycling.
• Isolation and decontamination: Ships brought for dismantling are loaded with hazardous substances such as oil, fuel, and chemicals. All these toxic substances are removed to ensure a safe working environment for all the workers and minimize the threat to marine biodiversity. 

Once the preparatory steps are undertaken the actual dismantling process begins. The dismantling phase comprises several steps concerned with the systematic dismantling of the vessel. 

Dismantling Ships in Alang Shipbreaking Yard 

The process of dismantling ships is one of the crucial activities carried out at the Alang shipyard. In this, the ship is dismantled into various components and structures. Several technologies and methodologies are utilized to dismantle the vessel as per international rules and regulations. It is done in a systematic way and includes a series of steps to ensure safe and efficient ship recycling while maximizing the recovery of scrap and recyclable material. 

The end goal of the dismantling process is to maximize the recovery and recycling of materials while mitigating potential hazards associated with the ship’s recycling process. The dismantling stage requires skilled labor, efficient machinery, and meticulous planning to ensure the safe and effective separation of components and hazardous materials such as Asbestos, lead-based paints, PCBs (Polychlorinated Biphenyls), and other toxic substances. The dismantling process can be summarized in the following steps. 

1. Separation of recyclable materials into different categories. Non-ferrous metals, such as copper, aluminum, and brass are separated from other valuable materials like glass, rubber, and plastics, and are segregated for recycling.

2. Using different separation techniques like oxy-fuel cutting, plasma cutting, and mechanical cutting are utilized for the separation of steel structures. The separated steel scrap is carefully organized and prepared for further processing and recycling.

3. Hazardous materials and substances such as Asbestos, lead-based paints, PCBs (Polychlorinated Biphenyls), and other toxic substances are treated as per the environmental regulations to minimize their impact on the environment.

4. Ships brought for recycling also contain non-recyclable material. Therefore, residual waste that cannot be recycled is disposed of in designated landfills or through other internationally approved methods. 

Role of Environmental and Safety Measures 

Ship recycling involves dealing with hazardous waste that can cause harm to marine and human life. To reduce environmental impact Alang Shipyard follows international standards and regulations, including the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships. It implements various measures to reduce the negative environmental impact as much as it can. Some key measures taken by the Alang Shipyard are mentioned below:

• Using exhaust ventilation systems and filters to cut down on the air pollution caused by dust and emissions from cutting and burning activities. 
• Noise reduction measures, such as noise barriers and ear protection, are brought into use to reduce noise pollution.
• Wastewater is treated before being released into the sea to save marine wildlife. To achieve this, effluents from various processes undergo treatment to remove all the toxins and pollutants. 

Prioritizing the Safety and Welfare of all the Workers 

Alang Shipyard prioritizes the safety and welfare of its workers by following the standard protocols. Major steps taken by the Alang shipyard for the welfare and safety of its workers are mentioned below:

• Workers receive training on handling hazardous materials, operating machinery, and following safety protocols to prevent accidents and injuries.
• Alang Shipyard adheres to all labor standards, including fair wages, reasonable working hours, and access to medical facilities.
• Proper safety gear, including helmets, gloves, goggles, and respiratory masks, is provided to workers to ensure their well-being.

Conclusion 

Alang shipbreaking yard is the largest shipbreaking yard in the world known for its sustainable ship recycling activities. The shipyard drives economic development and adheres to stringent environmental and safety standards. The shipbreaking industry at Alang generates significant economic benefits that are beneficial for the development of local people and the economy of the country. If you wish to get access to more such valuable information related to the shipbreaking industry, contact R.L. Kalthia Shipbreaking at info@kalthiashipbreaking.com.