Dubai's Drydocks World has completed one of the most complex ship recycling projects undertaken in the UAE, dismantling an Aframax vessel for client APT Global Marine and recovering more than 20,000 tonnes of steel, machinery, and other materials for sustainable reuse.
The vessel arrived in a severely degraded state – carrying extensive fire damage, over 1,000 tonnes of hardened cargo residues, and approximately 2,500 tonnes of fuel oil residue – requiring detailed engineering assessments, environmental controls, and specialised dismantling procedures throughout the 120-day operation.
Materials recovered included approximately 14,500 tonnes of ferrous and non-ferrous metals and 3,500 tonnes of machinery, piping, and cables, alongside hazardous materials and hydrocarbon residues requiring specialist treatment.
The project was completed under Drydocks World's approval as a compliant facility under the UAE Ship Recycling Regulation, and forms part of the company's broader circular economy strategy focused on maximising resource efficiency across its operations. With growing numbers of vessels approaching end-of-life and tightening environmental regulations driving demand for responsible recycling solutions globally, the project reinforces Dubai's ambitions to establish itself as a regional hub for green maritime decommissioning.
Gulf Economist Staff Writer