A Drone Photograph Shows the Human and Environmental Cost of Ship Recycling in Bangladesh
By Emma Carter
Image information
This is a representative image for this Daily News lesson.
Intro
An aerial photograph of ship recycling in Bangladesh has won the top prize in the 2026 Siena Drone Photo Awards, drawing attention to an industry that combines large-scale material recovery with serious environmental and workplace concerns.
Vocabulary
| Word | Part of speech | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| dismantled verb | verb | Meaning: taken apart into separate pieces | Example: The old bridge was dismantled after engineers found serious structural problems. |
| vessel noun | noun | Meaning: a large ship or boat, especially one used for transport | Example: The research vessel carried scientists across the Pacific Ocean. |
| partly adverb | adverb | Meaning: to some degree, but not completely | Example: The road was partly closed because of the heavy snowfall. |
| recovered verb | verb | Meaning: collected or obtained again after being lost, used, or discarded | Example: The team recovered valuable equipment from the damaged laboratory. |
| extraordinary adjective | adjective | Meaning: very unusual or remarkable | Example: The scientist made an extraordinary discovery during the experiment. |
| uncontrolled adjective | adjective | Meaning: not managed, limited, or kept within safe boundaries | Example: Uncontrolled development can damage natural habitats and increase flooding. |
| livelihoods noun | noun | Meaning: ways of earning money to support oneself or one’s family | Example: Fishing provides livelihoods for many families in the coastal region. |
The story
Aerial photograph of shipbreaking in Bangladesh wins top award
A photograph showing a huge ship being dismantled on the mudflats of the Bay of Bengal has won the overall prize in the 2026 Siena Drone Photo Awards. Taken by photographer George Steinmetz, the image is titled “Shipbreaking on the mudflats, Bay of Bengal.”
The vessel appears to have come to rest on a golden beach. Its steel hull is partly open, while workers move around it and remove sections of metal. The ship was a tanker designed to carry liquefied natural gas, which is used for cooking, electricity, and transport.
The photograph was taken along a 13-mile coastal strip north of Chattogram, also known as Chittagong. In the image’s scene, a crew of 60 men uses blow torches and winches to break apart the ship. Large quantities of metal are recovered and prepared for resale overseas.
Steinmetz has long been interested in Bangladesh’s shipbreaking industry. Ships from around the world are brought to the coast when they are close to the end of their working lives. There, they are dismantled and their materials are collected for possible reuse. Steinmetz described the activity as an extraordinary example of recycling on a vast scale.
However, the industry has also faced criticism from environmental groups, human rights organizations, labor unions, and other non-governmental organizations. Their concerns include uncontrolled pollution, chemicals entering the sea, and dangerous conditions for workers.
The Siena awards use bird’s-eye photography to show landscapes, livelihoods, and human experiences that may be difficult to see from the ground. Steinmetz’s winning image presents both sides of shipbreaking: the recovery of valuable materials and the risks connected with the work.
Warm-up questions
- What environmental and economic benefits might large-scale recycling provide?
- What risks might workers face when dismantling a very large ship?
Comprehension questions
- What award did the photograph win?
- What was the ship designed to carry?
- Where was the photograph taken?
- Why do environmental groups criticize the industry?
- What two sides of shipbreaking does the image present?
Opinion questions
- Do you think the photograph is more effective because it shows both benefits and risks? Why?
- Would you consider working in an industry that provides employment but involves serious dangers?
Further discussion
- How could governments reduce pollution and improve safety in shipbreaking regions?
- What responsibilities should international shipping companies have when their vessels reach the end of their working lives?
Writing prompt
- Write a developed paragraph explaining whether shipbreaking should be expanded, restricted, or more strictly regulated. Use evidence from the article and discuss both economic and environmental considerations.
