NYK to Launch Ship Recycling Business in 2028

NYK Line has announced a plan to start a ship recycling business in Japan by 2028.

This innovative project aims to make ship dismantling more efficient while reducing environmental impact.


Here’s a summary of the initiative and its implications.

Transitioning to Domestic Ship Recycling

In partnership with Ohno Kaihatsu, NYK Line plans to establish a domestic ship recycling facility.

Unlike the current manual dismantling process in countries like India and Bangladesh, the new facility will use advanced machinery to improve efficiency.


The goal is to dismantle around 20 ships annually and produce approximately 300,000 tons of steel scrap.

Aiming for a World-Class Facility

The facility is expected to become one of the largest ship recycling centers in the world.

Current operations in regions like South Asia typically handle fewer than 20 ships per year, making this project a significant upgrade in capacity and efficiency.

Moreover, high-purity steel scrap produced in Japan will be reused in industries such as steelmaking and automotive manufacturing.

Supporting Sustainability in Industry

With steelmakers transitioning to electric arc furnaces to reduce carbon emissions, the demand for recycled steel is growing.

The ship scrap produced by this project will play a vital role in meeting this demand while contributing to Japan’s efforts in resource recycling.

Challenges and Future Prospects

Despite its potential, domestic ship recycling faces challenges such as high costs and space requirements.

Addressing these issues will be key to ensuring the project’s success.

However, this initiative marks a significant step toward sustainable resource use in Japan.