TAGRA 2024

The lifespan of a ship typically ends when it no longer remains safe, cost-effective, or practical to operate. Ship life varies depending on the quality of construction, maintenance, and specialized work performed, but ships generally remain in service for many years before being decommissioned. In this study, the factors affecting the ship dismantling age were determined by a literature review. Structural Integrity: The hull and key structural components may weaken over time due to wear, corrosion, or fatigue. This can make the ship unsafe to operate, especially in rough seas or heavy loads. Maintenance Costs: If the costs for repairs and maintenance exceed the ship’s operational value or revenue, it might be more economical to retire the ship. Environmental Regulations: New regulations can make it impractical to continue operating older ships, which often require significant modifications to meet modern environmental standards, like emissions control, waste management, or fuel restrictions. Market Demand: Some ships, like cargo vessels or oil tankers, might become economically unviable if market demand drops or if shipping companies switch to a different type of vessel. Degradation of Machinery: Older engines, electrical systems, and other onboard machinery can degrade over time, becoming less efficient and more prone to breakdowns. Once a ship’s operational value is no longer viable, it may be sold for parts, scrapped, or repurposed for a different use, such as being converted into an artificial reef. The age of ship dismantling, which is affected by all these factors, has been increasing in recent years. Between 2016 and 2022, the average age at which ships are dismantled increased from 23 to 29 years. Future studies can be conducted to investigate the reason for this increase.