Photo: Edward Burtynsky
There is a particular industrial activity that is quite unique to the small town of Alang in Gujarat Province, India. It's not manufacturing - actually, it's the exact opposite: in Alang, container and cruise ships are taken apart piece by piece ... by hand!
When large container ships can contain or ship no more, they're sent halfway round the world to so-called "breaking yards," where they're dismantled (basically by hand), their metal is salvaged, and their intact structures, down to the doors and toilet seats, are put back onto the global marketplace.
Today, these yards tend to be in Bangladesh or India – but location is just a question of cheap labor and (nonexistent) environmental regulations.
It's toxic work.
BLDBLOG has more: Link | More photos of shipbreaking by Edward Burtynsky
So 'Simpsons' ;)
Damn-that is one big ship.
Still, great photos, though.
All countries have had jobs like this at some point. Just because we look at it from the viewpoint of people who might no longer have to do that kind of thing doesn't mean that there aren't places where people are glad to get work, period.
Yes, the local bosses should be protecting their employees but that's up to them, isn't it.
That was my first thought too.
World War Z.
great book.
apart from the british bit..which was a horrible cliche.
And the Australian calling Brits Limeys.... that was pretty lousy too.
If you want to know more about how shipbreaking is done in India and in Bangladesh, and how international treaties are not respected by Western countries (the export of hazardous wastes to developing countries is illegal) you can go to:
www.shipbreakingplatform.org
bye!