With an interdisciplinary academic background in Asian Studies pursued in Italy and the Netherlands, Benedetta Mantoan embarked on a career in international trade and maritime logistics. She developed valuable hands-on expertise, particularly in export procedures and freight transport. Driven by curiosity and a passion for all dimensions of global commerce, she joined the NGO Shipbreaking Platform, an organisation dedicated to transforming one of the maritime industry’s most challenging sectors: ship dismantling.
Fighting for ethical dismantling: the core mission of the NGO Shipbreaking Platform
The NGO Shipbreaking Platform is an international coalition of environmental and human rights organisations. Its mission is to advocate for ship recycling practices that protect workers, local communities, and the environment. The NGO monitors, exposes, and campaigns for stronger legislation and enforcement on the ground and in policy circles.
CirclesOfLife: expertise in service of a just transition
As part of the CirclesOfLife project, Benedetta contributes in-depth knowledge of end-of-life ship recycling markets and practices. She documents current realities in the sector, identifies levers for innovation, and supports awareness-raising among key stakeholders, from the maritime industry to public decision-makers. She also contributes to a dedicated case study on ship dismantling, focusing on mapping practices, regulatory standards and material flows. Her objective is to help develop tangible, fair, and sustainable solutions for the industry’s transformation.
A Passport for the future: designing tomorrow’s tools
One of the most exciting aspects of the project for Benedetta is the development of a ship material passport.
“Defining such a tool for complex assets like ships is a fascinating challenge,” she explains. “Working with CirclesOfLife partners to design a practical and scalable solution for the maritime industry paves the way for better material traceability and real circularity.”
The Ship Recycling Lab: A hub for ideas and alliances
In her first year at the NGO, Benedetta contributed to launching the Ship Recycling Lab, a new initiative that has quickly become a key meeting point for changemakers across sectors working to accelerate the shift to clean and just ship recycling. The Lab has given rise to a strong and collaborative community, which now drives large-scale European projects, including those supported by the Horizon Europe programme.
Inspiration through collaboration: the power of the collective
If Benedetta were to recommend another member of the consortium to interview, it would be Thulasi Ajith Vattekkatte from Balance. “Her professional journey is truly inspiring. She has brought invaluable insight to our work at the Platform and offers unwavering support for our cause.”
