Gadani Beach facts for kids

Gadani Beach is a long stretch of sand located on the coast of the Arabian Sea. You can find it near the Hub River and Cape Monze in a place called Gadani. This area is part of the Lasbela District in Baluchistan, Pakistan. It's a famous spot, especially for something called ship breaking.

What is Ship Breaking?

Ship breaking is a process where old ships are taken apart. Imagine a giant puzzle made of metal and other materials. When a ship is too old or expensive to keep sailing, it comes to a place like Gadani Beach. Here, skilled workers carefully dismantle it. They remove all the parts, from the smallest screws to huge metal plates.

Why Break Ships?

The main reason to break ships is to recycle their materials. Most of a ship is made of steel. This steel can be melted down and used again to make new things. This saves resources and helps the environment by reusing materials instead of always making new ones. Other parts, like engines, furniture, and wires, are also salvaged and sold.

The Process at Gadani

At Gadani Beach, ships are often beached directly on the sand. This means they are steered onto the shore during high tide. Once the tide goes out, the ship is stuck. Workers then begin the dismantling process. They use special tools to cut the metal and remove different sections. It's a very large and complex operation that requires many people.

History of Gadani Ship Breaking Yard

The Gadani ship breaking yard is one of the largest in the world. It started operating in the 1960s. Over the years, thousands of ships have been brought here to be recycled. It plays a big role in the local economy, providing jobs for many people in the area.

Famous Ships at Gadani

Many different types of ships have ended their journeys at Gadani. One well-known ship was the SS Canberra. This famous ocean liner was once a luxury cruise ship. It sailed the seas for many years before being brought to Gadani for breaking in 1997. Its arrival marked a significant moment in the yard's history.

Gadani Beach Today

Today, Gadani Beach continues to be an active center for ship breaking. It's a place where the life cycle of large vessels comes to an end. The materials from these old ships get a new life, helping to build other things around the world. It's a unique and important industrial site on the coast of Pakistan.

Images for kids

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  Gadani Beach

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  Ship breaking yard at Gadani