Background Around 200 European registered vessels are scrapped each year but no facility for dismantling of scrapped ships and platforms exists in Europe. This results in an annual export to third countries of hazardous materials, including 17 280 tonnes of lubricants and 25 920 tonnes of used oil, not to mention asbestos and heavy metals. Recent regulations concerning single-hulled tankers are expected to considerably accelerate the rate of scrapping of vessels. Objectives The Ecodock LIFE project set out to develop a systematic, transferable ship-recycling approach for Europe. Its goals involved constructing a demonstration plant for recycling of single hull tankers and end-of-life ships containing hazardous waste. Innovative cutting techniques for steel structures were proposed, making possible very high degrees of steel and waste recycling. A cleaning and recycling system for hazardous wastes including asbestos, heavy oils and bilge water was also planned. Results The project failed. Due to management and ownership changes within the beneficiary, it did not achieve its objective of actually building and operating the first zero-emission ship-dismantling yard in the world during the project. Nevertheless, the beneficiary tried to advance the overall project objectives and undertook a pilot scrapping and dismantling exercise using an alternative facility at the Port of Amsterdam.