Dubai, UAE – Drydocks World has successfully completed a major ship recycling project for APT Global Marine, recovering more than 20,000 tonnes of steel, machinery and other materials for sustainable reuse at its Dubai ship recycling facility. The achievement marks another milestone in strengthening the UAE’s position as a regional hub for environmentally responsible ship recycling.

The project is considered one of the most technically challenging ship recycling operations undertaken in the region, involving the dismantling and recycling of an Aframax-class tanker that arrived with extensive fire damage. The vessel also contained more than 1,000 tonnes of solidified cargo residues and approximately 2,500 tonnes of fuel oil waste, requiring detailed engineering assessments, stringent environmental controls and highly specialized dismantling procedures throughout the operation.

Completed within 120 days, the project saw Drydocks World safely remove and process around 14,500 tonnes of ferrous and non-ferrous metals, in addition to 3,500 tonnes of machinery, piping and cables. Hazardous materials and hydrocarbon waste were also handled and treated using specialized environmental management processes.

Commenting on the achievement, Captain Rado Antolovic, Chief Executive Officer of Drydocks World, said: “The successful delivery of this highly complex project highlights Dubai’s and the UAE’s advanced engineering capabilities, as well as our strong commitment to safety and environmental stewardship. It demonstrates our ability to deliver responsible, large-scale green ship recycling while supporting sustainable industrial growth.”

He added: “Recovering more than 20,000 tonnes of valuable materials from a single project underscores the important role ship recycling plays in advancing the maritime circular economy. As more vessels reach the end of their operational lives, the industry has a responsibility to ensure valuable resources are recovered safely, efficiently and in line with the highest environmental standards.”

The project builds on Drydocks World’s certification as a compliant green ship recycling facility under the UAE Ship Recycling Regulation, reinforcing the company’s ambition to expand its presence in the rapidly growing global ship recycling market.

Bringing together expertise in logistics, engineering, project management and recycling operations, the project demonstrates the UAE’s growing capabilities in delivering responsible end-of-life vessel management. With an increasing number of ships approaching retirement and environmental regulations becoming more stringent worldwide, demand for sustainable ship recycling solutions is expected to continue rising.

The project also supports Drydocks World’s broader circular economy strategy, which focuses on maximizing resource efficiency across its operations and project portfolio while promoting sustainable practices throughout the maritime industry.