Table Of Content
- An expert explains: What happens to cruise ships when they’re retired, from makeovers to scrapyards
- Discovering Abandoned Cruise Ships and Ocean Liners
- The most recent purge has been largely due to the shut down in the wake of Covid, says cruise historian Peter Knego
- Sable Island
- Where do ships go when they are scrapped?
According to the NGO Shipbreaking Platform, it is one of the most dangerous jobs in the world and a job that not many people in the world are very familiar with. Luckily, cruise ship travel is back, guests are happy, and the cruise industry is recovering. For the most part, a typical cruise ship will be in service for 25 to 30 years. As you would expect, proper maintenance and upgrades ensure that a cruise ship can be serviceable for longer.
An expert explains: What happens to cruise ships when they’re retired, from makeovers to scrapyards
Inside abandoned £240million ‘Fantasy’ cruise ship left shrink-wrapped with poker chips still on casino tab... - The Irish Sun
Inside abandoned £240million ‘Fantasy’ cruise ship left shrink-wrapped with poker chips still on casino tab....
Posted: Thu, 01 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
In Izmir, Turkey, in a town called Aliaga, there is a ship processing centre where old cargo ships and container ships get stripped for parts, broken down and recycled. In 2020 this processing port made waves around the world when images arose of the place being used as a graveyard for cruise ships. In many ways, the stripping and recycling of a cruise ship is the final phase of its life span. From being built by thousands of skilled workers and carrying for up to 40 years to eventually being broken down and scrapped, the lifecycle of a cruise ship is truly fascinating. Cruise ship graveyards can be profitable and sustainable enterprises and provide much-needed job opportunities in countries and regions with low employment rates. This enormous ship scrap yard handles roughly one-fifth of the world’s decommissioned ships, so it is a massive operation.
Discovering Abandoned Cruise Ships and Ocean Liners
This decision is influenced by various factors, including the current market value of the vessel, potential opportunities for repurposing or conversion, and the environmental impact of different disposal methods. The world of abandoned cruise ships is undoubtedly fascinating, but these once-luxurious vessels can also pose significant environmental risks if they are not disposed of responsibly. On the other hand, they can become interesting tourist attractions for those interested in maritime history and mechanical decay. Exploring abandoned cruise ships has enticed all sorts of adventurists and explorers. In conclusion, the fate of old cruise ships is varied and heavily dependent on their condition and the demand for them. In some cases, they are recycled or scrapped to provide valuable materials; in others, they are sold to new owners with plans to refurbish them.
The most recent purge has been largely due to the shut down in the wake of Covid, says cruise historian Peter Knego
While the ship was supposed to be refurbished and converted into a floating hotel, the 2008 global recession that followed her final voyage halted these plans. After much debate, it was determined that the ship would indeed be converted into a luxury hotel, which followed over a decade of abandonment in a very public location. The next step is to cut the ship into smaller pieces that can be transported more easily. The steel plates are cut into smaller pieces and sent to various steel mills for recycling. Non-ferrous metals like copper, brass, and aluminum are also removed and sold for further processing. Ships are expensive to maintain, and operating an older cruise vessel may outweigh the benefits.
Sable Island
In fact, the Chittagong facility employs over 200,000 people at any given time. In many cases, luxury cruise ships are demolished and scrapped alongside large ships, like cargo ships, tankers, and research vessels. Some interior components, such as artwork, kitchen appliances, high-end furniture, and even chandeliers, can generate significant income for the cruise line during auction. This helps cover some expenses of sending the ship to be scrapped at a cruise ship graveyard. There are also strict environmental precautions that must be taken to avoid the leaking of fuel and other toxic chemicals that could pollute the water and cause harm to marine life.
For example, the European Union adopted the Ship Recycling Regulation, which sets specific requirements for ships flying the flags of EU member states. The lifecycle of a cruise ship can be divided into several distinct stages, each playing a crucial role in its overall journey. Understanding this lifecycle helps us grasp the intricacies involved in the retirement and disposal of these extraordinary vessels. As we discussed, decommissioned and wrecked cruise ships still retain incredible value, especially to scrapping companies.
Where do ships go when they are scrapped?
Breaking down a ship also generates a lot of waste and pollution that can harm the environment. Interestingly enough, there are still several old cruise ships that are currently in operation today. For example, the Marco Polo was built in 1965 and has been renovated multiple times since then, and today it remains one of the oldest still active cruise liners sailing globally.
The ship operated for Ellerman Lines, which eventually was sold off to other shipping companies until the cruise line’s name fully disappeared in 2004. Despite her storied past and reputation, it was decided that the QE2 should be sold to a Dubai-based investment company for $100 million. Following her final voyage to Dubai, which included thousands of passengers, the new owners could not decide what to do with the famous vessel. It remains beached close to shore in front of a dense jungle backdrop, adding to its mysterious and otherworldly appearance. In fact, trees and other types of plant life have even begun growing directly along the surface of the abandoned ship’s decks. The cost of putting together a cruise ship means it's never just a case of abandoning the vessel.
Cruise ships as tourist attractions
The Queen Elizabeth 2, or QE2 for short, is a retired British cruise ship that carried out countless transatlantic voyages during her heyday. While it was considered one of the world’s most luxurious and impressive cruise ships when it was first launched in 1969, it was eventually retired in 2008. During that time, she was even requisitioned by the British army to serve as a troop carrier during the Falklands War.
Since the start, it's been our aim to provide the latest cruise news covering all the major cruise lines. We make sure cruisers are fully prepared for their cruise vacation with tips on ships and ports.Millions of travelers rely on Cruise Hive in the United States, Europe, Australia, and around the world. Typically, a full-size cruise ship can remain in service for roughly 30 years; however, the exact lifespan will depend on the needs of the cruise line operating each ship. Some luxurious cruise lines will take their ships out of service and either sell them off or send them off to be scrapped. Before we explore the concept of a cruise ship graveyard, it is worth explaining how long a cruise ship lasts and why all vessels must be taken out of service at some point.
Whether repurposed, dismantled, or left to rest, these ship graveyards serve as reminders of the impressive engineering feats and rich maritime heritage that continue to captivate our imagination. Ship graveyards, also known as ship cemeteries or ship boneyards, are intriguing locations where retired cruise ships find their final resting place. These vast stretches of water serve as temporary or permanent homes for decommissioned vessels, holding historical significance and attracting curious visitors from around the world. After years of providing memorable voyages and creating cherished experiences, the decision to retire a vessel is not taken lightly.
This article explains where cruise ships get dismantled and how they get created. Although the facility has reduced its size and number of employees in recent years, it still handles numerous cruise ships every single year, especially those originating from the Mediterranean Sea. The Alang Ship Breaking Yard handles cruise ships and has dismantled everything from oil tankers to aircraft carriers.
