Global trade dynamics of the shipbreaking industry: a complex network analysis approach

This study investigates the structural characteristics of the global shipbreaking trade network using complex network analysis and bilateral trade data for 2014, 2017, 2020, and 2023. The analysis identifies Bangladesh, India, Turkey, and Pakistan as central nodes in the network, reflecting their role as major destinations for end-of-life vessels. Indicators such as indegree, outdegree, PageRank, authority, and modularity were employed to examine connectivity patterns, community structures, and network vulnerability. The results reveal a declining number of nodes and edges, indicating growing concentration of shipbreaking activities in a limited set of countries. Modularity analysis shows the emergence of regional clusters, particularly linking South Asian and Mediterranean hubs, while vulnerability tests confirm that the removal of highly central countries significantly weakens the network. These findings suggest that although shipbreaking supports resource recovery and cost efficiency, its concentration heightens risks related to sustainability, safety, and resilience. Overall, the study adds to the limited literature on shipbreaking and suggests that geographically diversifying ship recycling under harmonised environmental and labour standards could mitigate risks and support long-term sustainability.