The demolition of a Vale VLOC at Bangladeshi shipbreaker PHP Family could help pave the way for the country to follow its neighbour, India, in improving the safety and environmental performance of shipyards.

The 233,000-dwt Ore Vitoria (built 1989) arrived at PHP’s yard in Sitakunda this week for the company’s first 'green' demolition project.

Both the yard and vessel meet the requirements set out by the Hong Kong Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships.