Shipbreakers
Synopsis
40,000 men work along 10 kilometers of beach in Alang, India, dismantling decommissioned ships under hazardous conditions for their survival.
Synopsis
At dawn in Alang, India, workers gather for a ritual offering to the goddess Kali, seeking her protection as they dismantle decommissioned ships. Since the early 1980s, Alang has become the largest ship graveyard in the world. Approximately 40,000 men labor along 10 kilometers of beach, facing hazardous conditions daily. Each year, accidents and exposure to toxic materials result in an average of one death among the workers. Despite the dangers, shipbreaking remains their only means of survival.
Deep Dive
Why Watch
- Meet Mittu, a shipbreaker from a poor village.
- See how ships are beached at Alang for dismantling.
- Find out about the environmental disaster caused by shipbreaking.
Did You Know
- Alang is located on India's Bay of Cambay and is the biggest ship graveyard in the world.
- 40,000 men work in Alang, tearing apart half the world's discarded ships.
- The Brazilian chemical tanker Velma approaches its final destination after 30 years at sea.
- Mittus' parents live in sheer poverty and hunger, prompting his move to Alang.
Perfect For
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the biggest ship graveyard in the world?
Alang, located on India's Bay of Cambay, is the biggest ship graveyard in the world.
How many men work in Alang's shipbreaking industry?
Approximately 40,000 men work in Alang's shipbreaking industry.
What is the prayer of the shipbreakers in Alang?
The shipbreakers' prayer invokes the goddess Kali, asking to be delivered across the ocean of suffering.
What are people saying?
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