ZMT - Leibniz Zentrum für Marine Tropenforschung

Ship recycling in Bremerhaven: Turning research into a maritime circular economy

Ships are now being recycled at the Lloyd Werft shipyard in Bremerhaven – only the second facility of its kind in Germany. The Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research (ZMT) welcomes the development as an important step towards a more sustainable maritime circular economy and as an example of how research can drive tangible change in business and society. As early as 2023, a ZMT study had highlighted the considerable potential for environmentally sound ship recycling in Bremen and Germany.

Since September 2026, ships can also be recycled at the Lloyd Werft shipyard in Bremerhaven. Following the opening of the first facility in Emden, this is only the second site of its kind in Germany. Recovering steel and other valuable materials from end-of-life ships can create jobs, foster technological innovation and provide secondary raw materials for industries seeking to reduce their carbon footprint.

For ZMT, this development also has an important international dimension. A large proportion of the world’s end-of-life ships are currently dismantled in South Asia, particularly in Bangladesh, India and Pakistan. In some cases, this entails considerable risks for workers and the environment. Developing safe and environmentally sound recycling capacity in Europe can help establish higher standards while reducing pressure on sensitive coastal ecosystems in the tropics.

ZMT study provided important impetus in 2023

ZMT has been working on this issue for several years. In 2022, a guest commentary by Raimund Bleischwitz in Bremen’s Weser-Kurier newspaper helped spark a discussion about ship recycling in the federal state of Bremen. Subsequently, a team led by Prof. Dr Raimund Bleischwitz, an expert in the circular economy at ZMT, together with Dr Michael Kriegl and Jannik Höller, conducted an analysis of the potential for ship recycling in the state of Bremen. Commissioned by Bremen’s departments responsible for science, ports and economic affairs, the study examined the opportunities and barriers associated with establishing environmentally sound ship recycling in Germany. It was presented in November 2023 at a specialist conference for the Maritime Cluster Northern Germany (MCN).

Among other findings, the analysis highlighted the considerable potential of scrap steel from end-of-life cargo and passenger ships. According to the study, more than 20 million tonnes of scrap steel could be generated worldwide each year from ship recycling from 2033 onwards. At the same time, demand for recycled steel is increasing as the steel industry transitions to more climate-friendly production methods. With its shipbuilding expertise and industrial infrastructure, Bremen is well placed to connect the maritime economy with circular steel value chains. A peer-reviewed academic publication was also produced.

From research and networks to implementation

The debate surrounding sustainable ship recycling has since led to concrete partnerships. Within the ZIM innovation network ShipRec, stakeholders are working on new technologies and processes for sustainable ship recycling. Areas of focus include innovative separation processes, automation and digitalisation, dismantling management, process planning and waste management. The aim is to develop solutions across the entire recycling chain. ZMT is part of this ZIM network.

“I am delighted that our 2023 study is continuing to make waves. We helped initiate the establishment of a ZIM network involving small and medium-sized enterprises and consultancy firms, which ultimately led to the creation of Germany’s first two ship recycling facilities,” says ZMT Director Bleischwitz. “This was accompanied by a wide range of discussions with the media, businesses and policymakers, extending all the way to the European Commission, which explicitly acknowledges our work in its evaluation of the Ship Recycling Regulation. In doing so, ZMT once again demonstrates its excellence in research with societal impact. Only by working together with business, policymakers and civil society can we meet the challenges of the future, both here and internationally.”

The establishment of facilities in Emden and Bremerhaven demonstrates that ship recycling is developing into a new area of business for Germany’s maritime economy. From ZMT’s perspective, it also illustrates the role that marine research can play beyond academia: identifying emerging issues at an early stage, bringing stakeholders together and making scientific expertise available to support societal transformation.

The regulatory framework is also evolving. In June 2025, the Hong Kong Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships entered into force. At the same time, the EU Ship Recycling Regulation requires end-of-life ships flying an EU flag to be recycled at approved facilities included on the European List. In its 2025 evaluation, the European Commission concluded that the Regulation still contains gaps, including the practice of reflagging ships shortly before they are scrapped, and refers to the ZMT study in its assessment of the sector’s potential.

For Bremen and Bremerhaven, environmentally sound ship recycling therefore offers several opportunities at once: new maritime value creation and employment, innovation in recycling technology, valuable secondary raw materials for more climate-friendly steel production – and a contribution to improving environmental and labour standards in a global industry.