Sisyphos in Chittagong, a photo from Chittagong, South

Photographer's Note

The shipwrecking yards of Chittagong are one of two main places where ships who have reached the end of line are dismantled and recycled. The other place is Annan in India. It is very hard work, paid wiht ~ 0.7 EUR per day. Low standards for labor safety made these places competitive with shipyards in Germany or Poland where this work has been done a couple of decades ago. Each week accidents happen. The shipwrecking yards in Chittagong are usually protected from foreign eyes by plant security. Workers are pulling gas bottles to the wrecks for the welders. Other workers are carrying or pulling stuff from the ships to the shore. It takes about 3 weeks to dismantle an oil tanker.

finlay, Ilducabianco, Ilducabianco, annjackman, BennyV, hispic, CLODO, brech, CycleEyes has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

finlay (1585) 2011-01-06 6:46

Ralf

An interesting shot that depicts the arduous work that you describe in your note. I like the inclusion of the hull of the ship at the top of the shot. It provides context to the work that is being carried out and shows the immense structure of the ships that have to be dismantled.

Finlay

Ilducabianco (940) 2011-01-06 7:11

Hi Ralf,

an example of image documenting the (harsh) life of peoples.Beautiful the contrast between the size of the hull and the tiny men.The explanatory note is very interesting and comprehensive.

TFS

Alessio

annjackman (23019) 2011-01-06 7:15

Hello Ralf,
This is a very unusual and good shot. The hard work is depicted very well indeed. The hull of the ship with the people in the foreground shows the scale very well. Your note was very useful.
Regards. Ann

emilbo (22616) 2011-01-06 7:28

Allф Ralf!
Trиs intйressante cette photo unusuelle et cette histoire de dйmantellemt avec des jeunes hommes qui trainent des piиces sur le bord de la rive. 0.7 Euro par jour... c'est moins que 100 fois ce qu'on peut gagner ici et du dur travail en plus.
Merci de nous faire voir des choses diffйrentes,
Emilius

Tayon (1995) 2011-01-06 8:14

Hi Ralf

A great and impressive image!
good composition with the big boat in the sand in the BG and the workers. a good note that complement the photo..
well done
TFS

Tayon/Taba

BennyV (34748) 2011-01-06 9:44

A fantastic image and a great picture, Ralf. Great how the ship is so big that you don't even notice it that very first microsecond you look at the picture.

I'm looking forward to more.

Benny

pajaran (116947) 2011-01-06 10:29

Dobro vece.
Pocinje cerupanje velikog broda, tezak i opasan rad ...
lep pogled na mesto i radnike koji rasturaju brod, dobra kompozicija.
Dobar trenutak snimka i tekst, lepe boje i fotografija.
Prijatno vece i sve najbolje.
Paja.

Google.

Guten Abend.
Startet das Rupfen ein groЯes Schiff, eine schwierige und gefдhrliche Arbeit ...
Schцne Sicht auf den Ort und die Arbeiter das Schiff zerlegt, gute Zusammensetzung.
Ein guter Zeitpunkt der Aufnahme und Text, schцne Farbe und Fotos.
Angenehmen Abend und alles Gute.
Paja.

unsalan (149) 2011-01-06 11:22

Very impressive shot. On one hand people are struggling to "live", but there is no life around. The existance of huge ship dominates this emptiness and reminds the viewer that "struggle" is not over. Thank you for sharing this nice image.
Unsal

[2]

giorgimer (35017) 2011-01-06 11:54

Hi,

I think this is one of the most photogenic places on earth, particularly for the impressive scale, you give us a good example

TFS

G

hispic (9658) 2011-01-06 19:16

Guten Morgen Ralf
Famous worldwide ship dismantlement factory is expertly caught at the good moment, workers are very well put in the good place. Very impressive image.
Best wishes, Hisashi

TomDziu (55) 2011-01-07 2:53 [Comment]

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CLODO (45118) 2011-01-09 0:10

Hi Ralf

A superb picture of these poor persons wadding in the mud to destroy big boats to keep the copper, steel, iron....
Good reporter eye!
Greetings
CLODO

CycleEyes (24) 2011-04-10 17:54

Hello Half,

Opportune report showing this subject very well presented in expressive composition and tones.
Itґs seem a far fiction scene, but to tell the story, forget perfection...

Best Regards,
George

everlasting (19978) 2011-04-19 12:56

good documentary image! and good info. The tanker looms so large over the working men,