Decision Insights for Shipbreaking using Environmental Impact Assessment: Review and Perspectives

This article describes how the shipbreaking industry has been under the microscope, more often in recent years, with scrutiny from governments, international agencies and environmental activists, on issues pertaining to sustainability in general and environmental impact in particular. Several cases of vessels-to-be-dismantled, by and large in yards located in South Asia, have been discussed in literature, with concerns on the modus operandi of dismantling end-of-life ships, and the mode of disposal of hazardous residual wastes. In this article, the authors review extant methodologies, and examine the decision alternatives available to shipbreakers, recyclers and waste material handlers to minimize damage to the environment. Impact assessment results using Open-LCA has been presented to demonstrate the relative impact loadings on various environmental parameters, from the path functions adopted. The results of the environmental impact assessment provide decision insights on various alternatives that may be appropriated in order to mitigate environmental damage. The article concludes with discussion, perspectives and future research directions to improve decision making for sustainable shipbreaking.