There are ways to sustainably dispose of large vessels – ship recycling (ship breaking), ship donation, converting to other uses (hulking), creating floating storage, creating artificial reefs, deep water sinking, etc. Some of these are more environmentally sound than others, but if done mindfully all methods could be considered sustainable. According to Marine Insight:
Every type of ship comes with a specific lifespan. After serving a successful tenure at the sea – roughly thirty years or so –all ships are expected to be discontinued from service according to maritime law.
Ship disposal methods have come a long way. Several methods have been utilized and discontinued in the past. The disposal of ships is a great concern for ship owners as it requires substantial money and efforts. Several guidelines have to be followed to ensure that the disposed material is not causing any kind of threat to environment or human life. Moreover, before the ships are reduced to mere scraps of steel, it’s mandatory to eradicate any toxic substance present in them. As ship breaking is costly in developed nations, some of the developing countries of Asia has become ship breaking hubs of the world.
Few environmental administrative bodies like the Basel Convention, set down specific guidelines and regulations for the ships which are declared to be obsolete and ineffective. The main objective of these guidelines is to maintain the safety and harmony of nature while a vessel is being cast away. The retiring ship needs to be disposed of, in an eco-friendly strategy which would not affect the environment in any serious manner.