BROKEN UP IN ALIAGA

In the world of shipbreaking, the yards of Aliaga, Turkey have become the final resting place for a great number of ships and continue to employ more than 1,000 workers at 28 plots located 50km north of Izmir. The recycling area was first laid out by the Turkish government in the mid-1970s and is currently regulated by three ministries, Environment, Maritime Affairs and Labour.

Although nearly two dozen companies have been active at Aliaga over the years, the Leyal Ship Recycling Group is currently the largest and one of the oldest, having over six hectares of land at its disposal and a capacity to process well in excess of 100,000 lightweight tons per year. Demolition is carried out by grounding a vessel bow first and then cutting towards the stern, with cranes used to take off the resulting steel.

Ships of over 40,000 light displacement tonnes can be handled at Aliaga, and a good number of famous ships have been handled there, including the former Royal Navy aircraft carriers HMS (RO5), HMS (RO6) and HMS (RO7).