The ship recycling
industry is at the crossroads of sustainability, health, safety, and economic
growth. In this interview, we speak with Rubal Bansal,
Managing Director of Bansal Ship Breakers Private Limited and Bansal Ship
Recyclers LLP, based in Alang, India. Rubal has been advocating for
environmentally sound practices while ensuring a strong focus on health,
safety, and compliance with international standards like the Hong Kong
Convention (HKC).
QUESTION 1: How would
you describe the current state of the ship recycling industry in India?
Rubal Bansal:
The industry is
evolving rapidly. We’re seeing a strong push towards modernization, sustainability,
and compliance with global regulations like the HKC. Yards in Alang, are
adopting better practices and gaining international recognition.
QUESTION 2: What role
does health and safety play in your operations?
Rubal Bansal:
Health and safety are
at the core of everything we do. We ensure that our workers are trained, our equipment
is up to standard, and safety protocols are followed diligently. It’s about
protecting lives while performing a critical job.
QUESTION 3: How do you
ensure compliance with the Hong Kong Convention?
Rubal Bansal:
We follow the guidelines strictly, ensuring our yards are certified and that all our processes—be it hazardous waste management or worker safety—meet the highest standards. Compliance is non-negotiable for us.