• World's largest concrete ship dismantled after 40 years on the riverbank
• The 3,000 ton ship was abandoned shortly after its maiden voyage in 1974
  

The world's largest concrete ship has been dismantled after spending four decades stranded on the riverbank.

The Gu Tian was abandoned shortly after her maiden voyage in 1974 and has since become a home to squatters and is a local tourist attraction in Fuzhou, capital of southeast China's Fujian Province.

Work to destroy the 3,000 ton concrete boat began in November last year and is finally coming to a close this week.

Before: The Gu Tian concrete ship pictured in November before work began to dismantle the 3,000 ton boat

After: The Gu Tian photographed today in the final stages of the work to destroy it to make way for flats

The cement ship was built during the 1970s when there was a lack of steel in China as a cheap solution during the 'cultural revolution'.

The ship was 345ft long, 48ft wide, 26ft 7in high, however due to the heavy weight and huge fuel consumption it was abandoned shortly after its maiden voyage.