Transforming Ship Recycling with Safety

Case Study: Prabhat KumarPrabhat Kumar is the Vice President – Health, Safety, Environment, Quality, Energy (HSEQEn) and Naval Architecture (NA) at Leela Group of Ship Recycling Yards. In this interview, he explains how completing the NEBOSH International Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety Management has enhanced his ability to drive safety and environmental improvements and offers valuable insights for other HSE practitioners.

Your background is in naval architecture and project management. Can you share how your career evolved to encompass HSE?
My professional journey began in naval architecture, which is a specialist area of engineering focused on the design, construction and maintenance of marine vessels. Whilst working for nearly ten years for Keppel FELS in Singapore, I gained extensive experience on offshore rigs and marine projects, first as Senior Naval Architect before being appointed Senior Project Engineer.

My interest in HSE was heightened when I started working in ship recycling in Alang, Gujarat, India. This activity presents unique and complex risks including confined space entry, hazardous materials handling, and fire hazards. With my extensive naval architecture experience I committed to closing the gap between technical operations and safety leadership to better protect our workers, preserve the environment, and elevate safety practices in Alang’s ship recycling industry.

I had the technical expertise but wanted to take a professional qualification to enhance the practical HSE experience I had gained during my career. This was my motivation for pursuing the NEBOSH International Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety Management. I thought it would help me become a stronger HSE leader and help me to ‘Transform Ship Recycling with Safety’ across every ship, every yard, and every team within our group.

How has taking this qualification helped you?
Completing the NEBOSH International Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety Management has been a truly transformative experience, both professionally and personally.

It has deepened my understanding of health and safety management systems, risk control, and legal frameworks, giving me the confidence to engage effectively with stakeholders, clients, auditors, and regulatory authorities.

I am now better equipped to analyse complex health and safety challenges, interpret legal requirements, and propose practical, risk-based solutions that strengthen operational safety, compliance, and decision-making across our ship recycling operations.

One of the most rewarding aspects has been joining a global community of like-minded safety professionals. This exposure has not only expanded my professional network but also boosted my confidence.

On a personal level, the Diploma has significantly shaped my mindset towards continuous growth and lifelong learning inspiring me to pursue higher qualifications and certifications in health, safety, and sustainability. It has reinforced the importance of continuous professional development (CPD), motivating me to stay updated with global best practices and emerging health and safety risks.

I now view every challenge as an opportunity for improvement which has helped me evolve as a transformational leader. I am now firmly focussed on empowering teams, driving positive change, and fostering a strong culture of health, safety, and continuous improvement.

It has shaped me into a confident, proactive, and visionary HSE leader who is fully committed to raising standards and advancing safe, responsible, and sustainable practices within the ship recycling industry. For me, the NEBOSH International Diploma was not just a qualification — it became a catalyst for driving meaningful change in one of the world’s most challenging industries.

Can you tell us a little about Leela Group and your role within it?
The Leela Group of Ship Recycling Yards is a flagship venture of the Leela Worldwide Group, which was established in 1954. Based in Gujarat, India, the Leela Worldwide Group is a prominent business house with a diverse portfolio spanning ship recycling, hospitality, aviation, logistics, and fine diamond jewellery.

The Leela Group of Ship Recycling Yards is the most prominent green ship recycling group at Alang, Gujarat, India which is home to the world’s most extensive stretch of ship-recycling yards.

As Vice President – HSEQEn and Naval Architecture, I hold a diverse strategic leadership role, overseeing HSE-related operations across four ship recycling yards.

I am responsible for developing, implementing, and continuously improving HSEQEn/NA strategies that align with international conventions and best practices, including the Hong Kong Convention (HKC), EU Ship Recycling Regulation (EUSRR), and Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) guidelines. Additionally, I ensure compliance with ISO management systems — ISO 9001, 14001, 30000, 45001, and 50001 — across our operations.

In essence, my role integrates technical expertise in naval architecture with leadership in safety, occupational health, environmental, quality and energy management. I am focussed on ensuring our ship recycling operations are safe, sustainable, and energy-efficient while driving industry-leading responsible practices.

I am sincerely grateful to Leela Group of Ship Recycling Yards and our top management, especially our CEO, Mr. Vishaal Raj Soni, for their unwavering support and visionary leadership which has created an environment where safety, sustainability, and growth go hand in hand. At Leela Group, we do not merely aim for compliance; we are dedicated to setting new benchmarks in responsible and sustainable ship recycling.

Can you share some of your responsibilities in this role?
Key responsibilities include:

• Providing strategic oversight of worker safety, health, and welfare – ensuring consistent standards, adequate facilities, and a strong safety culture is in place at all levels across all four yards within the group.
• Training and capacity building – for workers, supervisors and subcontractors to enhance safety, health, and environmental competence at all levels.
• Protecting the safety, health, and welfare of workers – by implementing robust occupational health programs, arranging regular health surveillance, instigating welfare facility improvements, and implementing risk-based safety measures.
• Overseeing hazardous waste management –including emissions control, and greenhouse gas (GHG) reporting to minimise environmental impacts.
• Leading incident investigations -encompassing root cause analysis, and continuous improvement initiatives to strengthen our safety culture.
• Reviewing ship recycling plans – to ensure operational safety and environmental protection throughout the dismantling process.
• Leading audits and inspections – whether they are required by clients, regulatory authorities or classification societies.
• Driving energy management initiatives – to reduce fuel and diesel consumption, enhance operational efficiency, and promote renewable energy adoption in line with ISO 50001 standards.
• Managing stakeholder engagement – including global clients, regulatory bodies, and industry forums to maintain transparency and uphold international best practices.

What do you enjoy most about your work?
One of the most fulfilling aspects of my work in ship recycling is contributing to the safety of both people and the environment. It’s especially rewarding to witness Alang’s ongoing transformation—moving steadily towards safer, cleaner, and globally recognised recycling practices, where safety and sustainability are truly becoming foundational values.

I also find immense fulfilment in mentoring the next generation of HSE professionals and building strong, capable teams. At Leela Group, I am proud to see our HSE team actively pursuing NEBOSH qualifications, driven by their passion for professional growth and commitment to raising safety standards.

Beyond my organisation, I have also had the opportunity to motivate and inspire other HSE professionals across the ship recycling industry to pursue NEBOSH qualifications contributing to a broader culture of safety leadership and continuous improvement in this challenging sector. Seeing that collective progress is truly one of the most rewarding parts of my role.

What advice would you give to health and safety professionals working in high-risk industries like ship recycling?
My advice is to view health and safety not merely as a compliance obligation, but as a core value and a catalyst for meaningful change. Our work plays a vital role in protecting lives, preserving the environment, and influencing the future direction of the industries we support,

Always focus on continuous learning and professional development. Pursue globally recognised qualifications like NEBOSH to strengthen your knowledge, credibility, and confidence. Stay updated with evolving regulations, best practices in safety management, and international conventions like the Hong Kong Convention (HKC).

Importantly, see yourself as a change-maker. I am proud to be contributing to the vision of a “Better Alang” which strives for a safer, cleaner, and more sustainable ship recycling industry. I want my operations to be benchmark for safe and responsible ship recycling, setting higher standards not just for compliance, but for leadership in health, safety, and environmental performance and this is the approach that I recommend others take.

Together, by raising the bar, we can transform perceptions, protect workers, and for ship building specifically, contribute meaningfully to the global circular economy.

source : nebosh