How historical ships are being plundered long after their final voyage

In May 2023, the wrecks of the HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Repulse, iconic vessels from World War II, were looted and desecrated by illegal salvage operations, sparking global outrage. This event brought attention to a long-standing, systemic issue of maritime heritage destruction caused by scavenging vessels like the Chuan Hong 68. For over a decade, these vessels, primarily operated by Indonesian and Malaysian companies, have illegally harvested materials from historical shipwrecks across Southeast Asia. These operations often involve sophisticated tactics like AIS manipulation, permitting fraud, and operating under false flags to avoid detection. The metal recovered from these wrecks, notably low-background steel, is highly valuable for high-tech industries due to its low radiation levels, making the illegal salvage operations profitable.

Despite the scale of this problem, local and international legal frameworks remain insufficient to address the issue, particularly in international waters. Countries such as the U.S. have implemented laws like the Sunken Military Craft Act, but enforcement in Southeast Asia is complicated by weak legal frameworks and political corruption. The looting of these wrecks not only represents a loss of cultural heritage but also a threat to shared history and international cooperation. Addressing this issue requires stronger international collaboration and legal measures to prevent further destruction.

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