Old ships, new purpose: Setting ship recycling standards in Bangladesh

Iffat Ahamed, national UN Volunteer

Each year, thousands of workers in Chattogram’s coastal yards dismantle hundreds of retired vessels—recovering millions of tons of steel and other materials. It’s gritty, vital work that powers Bangladesh's steel industry and local economy. But behind the sparks and steel are big questions: How safe is it? How clean? And how fair?

That’s where the United Nations and volunteers like Iffat Ahamed step in. As a national UN Volunteer with the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Iffat supports her country raise the bar on ship recycling. She’s not just sitting behind a desk—she’s out in the yards, talking to workers, shipyard owners, and government officials.

Her mission? To make sure global safety and environmental standards aren’t just words on paper, but real practices on the ground.

Iffat joined the IMO’s Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships (SENSREC) project in 2023, just as Bangladesh prepared to adopt the Hong Kong Convention—a major international agreement that sets rules for ship recycling.

With a background in marketing and a passion for change, she’s been raising awareness, organizing events, and gathering data to help the country meet those standards. “It’s a unique opportunity,” she says, “especially in a sector mostly run by men.”

Communicating what’s important

As Communications Assistant, Iffat supports awareness and outreach efforts related to ship recycling in Bangladesh, ensuring that key messages reflect international standards and IMO guidelines. Her role involves communicating the importance of authorized recycling facilities and raising awareness on environmental protection and emergency preparedness. While ship recycling is fundamentally a sound practice, the working conditions and environmental standards at recycling facilities can vary significantly.

Bangladesh, one of the world’s top destinations for ship recycling

Home to one of the largest ship recycling industries of the world, every year, hundreds of old ships are taken apart along the coast of Chattogram, providing tons of steel and jobs for thousands of workers. It’s a vital industry—but it’s also risky. The work can be dangerous, and the environmental impact is serious.

That’s why the International Maritime Organization (IMO) works closely with the government to make ship recycling safer and cleaner. Through a project called SENSREC, supported by the Government of Norway, the goal is to help the industry meet global standards set by the Hong Kong International Convention. This key international agreement protects workers and the environment.

These efforts are about more than policy—they’re about change on the ground. By working together, Bangladesh and its partners are building a ship recycling industry that’s not just strong, but sustainable.

Ship recycling isn’t about gender

Working in a male-dominated industry, Iffat faced a steep learning curve—but didn’t back down. With support from mentors and teammates, she found her footing and now plays a key role in making ship recycling safer and smarter. Her work directly supports global goals like Gender Equality (SDG 5) and Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure (SDG 9).

Impact isn’t about who you are, but what you do, she says.

“It is a unique opportunity for me to work in the ship recycling industry, a sector predominantly occupied by male workers. Advocating for workers’ rights, promoting gender parity, and understanding how shipyards impact the economy of my country felt like the perfect next step in my career in the maritime industry.”

Changing the face of the industry

Iffat had to learn fast—navigating complex government processes and confronting gender bias in a male-dominated industry. “It’s tough to break the barriers of traditional thinking when people assume women don’t belong in this field,” she admits. “But I stay focused on the positive changes we’re making.” Through the SENSREC project, career fairs and outreach efforts are opening doors for more women in ship recycling. For Iffat, these steps aren’t just symbolic—they’re essential to changing the face of the industry.

The team at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) recognized the contribution of national volunteering. John Alonso, Project Manager for SENSREC, notes, “Iffat’s dedication and enthusiasm have significantly strengthened our operations in Bangladesh. Her commitment to learning and her willingness to take on new challenges are truly inspiring. We are fortunate to have such a dedicated individual contributing to our mission each day.”

Take the leap—Volunteer

Iffat encourages others to leap. Volunteering with the United Nations means working on global challenges, learning fast, and growing with purpose. Her advice? Say yes—and mean it. Through her role with IMO and as a UN Volunteer, Iffat shows how volunteering can break stereotypes, open doors, and drive real progress.

And the timing couldn’t be more powerful: In June 2025, the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships officially came into force—thanks to ratification by Bangladesh and Liberia. It’s a major step forward for safer, cleaner ship recycling worldwide.

Footnotes

United Nations Volunteers in Asia and the Pacific