Incredibly lucrative, the shipbreaking industry generates billions of dollars a year, mostly as a result of the recycling of steel, aluminium, copper and other valuable materials. Alang has acquired a total of £81.1 billion ($110.6bn) in aggregate value, including total assets, since its founding in the early 1980s. So why are ships scrapped? As vessels age, they become less efficient and more costly to maintain, while newer ships offer superior technology and amenities.

Economic downturns can reduce demand, leading to surplus capacity – the COVID pandemic for instance led to a shipbreaking boom. Additionally, vessels involved in major accidents or disasters may be deemed irreparable and scrapped. Ever more stringent regulations can also condemn an ageing ship to death.

Extraordinary images of boat boneyards, where ships go to die