MEMBERS

Capt Venkat Iyer

President

Master Mariner, Master in Law (ML); Managing Director,  Tradex Shipping Ltd.  A former Naval Officer, a Master Mariner, Ship Manager, Arbitrator, Lawyer, Ship Manager, Vessel builder, Author, Philanthropist. former Chairman - ICS Madras Branch.

Mrs Vinita Venkatesh Vice President

A graduate of the IIM, Ahmedabad, an expert in port and logistics management, Co-founder of MagicHive India and founder of Popular Maritime Consultancy Services. She is the Director of Popular Foundations Ltd, She was earlier the director- Marketing in Navayuga Container Terminal, Krishnapatnam and a Vice President of the Samsara Group for South and East india.

Hareish Manaadiar

Secretary

MBA, FICS, FCILT

A versatile shipping and freight professional with over three decades of experience in the shipping, freight and logistics industry covering Commercial and Operations Management within an international background.. Also educating the public about the industry through site (https://shippingandfreightresource.com)

Capt Neel J Nair

Treasurer

Managing Director, Nautex Maritime Pvt Ltd,  Master Mariner, MBA (UK), Fellow of CMMI, Former Chairman, ICS-Madras Branch. Specialist in Offshore Oil & Gas Projects, P&I, Risk Management, VTS Management & Training, Coastal towage, Salvage, Ship Management. Maritime training and resource development.

Capt Suresh Amirapu

Exec Comm Member

An accomplished shipping and ports professional with a Master Mariners background. Credited with developing and operating mega ports, he has served as All India head of Fedsai, and other trade bodies. Member of ICA, CILT an FICS he is a founder of the East India branch of ICS

Capt KN Ramesh

Exec Comm Member

Mr. Ramesh Kavoori, Global Head of Shipping, Martrade Group, a Master Mariner with 37 years of experience in shipping and related operations. Acknowledged for ground breaking efforts in logistical solutions. He was the former CEO of SICAL Logistics and former COO of Karaikal Port.

Capt Anuj Chopra

Exec Comm Member

With 3 decades of senior experience in the industry, developed customer-focused EQ cultures in some large shipping companies of the world. He cofounded ESGplus LLC, focused on bringing resiliency, efficiency, and board advisory to clients in the global maritime supply chain.

He was VP of RightShip, president of Anglo-Eastern Houston. He is an Extra Master and a MBA from the IIM Ahmedabad.

Capt Pankaj Kapoor

Exec Comm Member

LLB, LLM, Post Grad (Maritime Law), AFNI

Managing Partner– “QUADRAANT LEGAL”. A senior partner of India Law Offices to head the firm’s maritime law practice from Mumbai. He is a registered advocate with more than two decades of experience in matters related to charter parties, salvage, demurrage claim, marine insurance, ship arrests and the Maritime Labour Convention. Prior to his legal career, Kapoor was a ship’s captain.

Capt S R Patnaik

Exec Comm Member

With  16 yrs on ships and 20 yrs ashore, and immense experience in the shipping industry. Served as CXO of TATA Shipping, making it a global brand and driving profitability. Currently the Managing Partner and CEO of Panbulk Shipping, Dubai, engaged in ship owning, chartering and management with plans to expand into chemical tankers and container vessels. A well known educator and speaker on maritime matters. Was awarded top 10 Indian Leaders in GCC by CEO Insights in 2025 and the Maritime Standard Outstanding Achievement Award, UAE in 2020.

Dr Bijendra Saxena 

Exec Comm Member

A Marine Engineer with five decades in shipping, Ex Founder Principal of the Tolani Maritime Institute and Past President of IMEI. A post-graduate from and lecturer at the WMU, Sweden. Qualified in chartering, insurance, insurance law and financial management, including PhD. PGD in Maritime Law from WMU. Has published papers in India and abroad and is a guide for PhD students. Chairman of the NMIS and Chairman of the Research/Training Committee of INSA.

Pradeep Kumar Chawla 

Exec Comm Member

Master Mariner, CEO and Founder of Maritime Knowledge Ltd, MarinePALS. Formerly Managing Director, Group QHSE and Training for Anglo-Eastern Ship Management from 1992 until retirement in 2023.

Dr. Purnendu Misra 

Exec Comm Member

PhD(Engg), PhD( Mgmt), Extra first Class Engineer, MA (Economics), BG Law. MRInA, FIMarE, MSnamE, MICS, MINA, MIE, MEMI&C

A graduate from DMET  (69-73), he served for 11 yrs in SCI and Univan. He joined the DG Shipping in 1984 and retired in 2012 as Joint DG (tech) and PO Chennai.Thereafter a consultant and advisor to several organizations including IMO and GOI. Published several books and serves in the apex bodies of several research bodies and scientific institutions. 

Capt Rahul Choudhary

Exec Comm Member

Leadership experience in an international maritime service organization for 33 years in directing marketing, commercial, organisational, personnel, technical and safety activities. He is responsible for strategic partnerships with key clients, industry players & associations.

Also, maintains focus on new business development & alternative fuels such as Biofuels & Methanol.

Capt Mohan Naik  

Exec Comm Member

Extra master; LLB, LLM ( Maritime Law); FNI, FICS, FCMMI, MCIArb, Supporting member LMAA,   FICA Managing Director, Dynacom Tankers Management Private Ltd. Ex Gesco cadet 1976, Master on oil tankers, OBOs and Bulkers, Established  Dynacom Tankers Management offices in India 1995. Ship manager, operator, teacher of nautical subjects at LBD camsar 1990- 1993,  Part time teacher at MMTI Mumbai.  Arbitrator, fellow of Indian Council of Arbitration. Author of 2 books on Maritime subjects, Elected Warden and ex Secretary General of CMMI.

Capt.Gautam Ramaswamy 

Exec Comm Member

AFNI, AFRIN, ACIArb, MBA from Columbia University, Technical Director at SeaKapital Ltd, Hong Kong - Member of the Sub-committee of the Hong Kong Shipowners Assn   -Council Member of the Nautical Institute (NI). Formerly: -Director of Regulatory Affairs of the Hong Kong Shipowners Association,  -Member of the Seafarers Advisory Board of Hong Kong;  -Secretary of the Ship Insurance and Liability Committee (SILC) of the Asian Shipowners' Association (ASA); -Secretary of the Insurance and Liability (I&L) Sub-committee of the HKSA

Capt S Pullat

Member, 

The founder Pre4sident of AMICIE, a Master Mariner, serving broad spectrum of shipping logistics from S&P, Chartering, Surveying, Maritime logistics consultant, trainer, arbitrator, placement of senior professionals ashore, Qualified independent director. Founding Chairman, ICS Madras Branch. Founding president AMICIE

Puneet Oza

Member

A dry bulk shipping professional, with over 27 years commercial expertise, now looking to transform Maritime Arbitration in Singapore utilizing his networks and drawing on his passion for and knowledge of maritime law along with his firm belief in the value of Maritime Singapore Eco-System.

Capt Rajasekhar

Member

Over 47 years in shipping, on ships and in commercial ops of container vessels, terminals and depots. Held top positions in companies like Norasia Lines, CSAV, founder of  Credo Shipping,  founder & Director of  Vasi Shipping. Involved in the design and building of new Bosporus max container vessels. Enabled setting up of Emirates Shipping Line. Founder & Chairman of Redefine Shipping S’pore offering  consultancy on setting up  and operating liner and breakbulk supply chains for big shippers.

Capt K Vivekanand

Member

A graduate of T S Dufferin, class of 1964. Sea career of 26 years, and ashore for 31 years, exclusively in Maritime Training. Former Director of AMET University, and Pro Vice Chancellor of VELS University. A pioneer in eLearning for maritime professionals. He is the Academic Director of ADU Academy India, and a member of the Executive Council of Indian Maritime University"

Mr Jagannath Muthu

Member

A Claims Consultant, Arbitrator and Mediator in Shipping, International Trade and Marine Insurance with over 25 years experience. A certified arbitrator under LMAA, SCMA and SIAC terms.  He has been a Shipping Agent, a  P&I Correspondent and Liner Shipping. Founded NAU Pte Ltd, a Claims Correspondent & Consultants in 2013 assisting clients in shipping related claims.

Capt Kamal Chadha

Member

Secretary - General, Maritime Trainers Guild;  Managing Director,  Marex Media Pvt. Ltd.

A stalwart and pioneer in the Maritime Media world in India, he has been defining and setting trends in the print and visual maritime media as well as in publishing, TV, brand management, corporate media outreach and event management for a quarter of a century.

Capt Rajesh Tandon

Member, 

Experienced Maritime professional with a demonstrated history of working in senior Management positions in all facets of ship management, seafarers development with statutory compliances, amongst others. Successfully established V Ships offices in INDIA in 1997 and ran same as its Managing Director.

Strong business development professional with a Masters in Nautical Sciences.

Capt K P Rajagopalan

Member

A graduate of T.S Rajendra  (1979). MD - Teos Logistics India Pvt Ltd., Former Chairman  Nautical Institute, (India South). Former Chairman ICS-(India East). Arbitrator with expertise in Ports &  Liner Shipping. Served in Trade Bodies and ex Member of Expert Committee - GOI on Trading cum Training Vessels.  

Mr K. Chidambaram

Member

Marine Engineer, DMET 1962-66, PGM Winner. Sailed with Great Eastern 1966-75, Nilhat Shipping 1976-1978.  Est Chidambaram Shipcare in 1979 to provide Tech Support Services to Ships. Est Peiner SMAG Machinery India Pvt Ltd, a JV with Peiner SMAG, Germany for manufacture of Grabs for Ships & Ports needs.

Capt Subhangshu Dutt

Member

Member of ICS, CILT , SID , SICCI, SSA

Currently Managing Director, Om Maritime Pte Ltd;  Past Chairman, Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers - Singapore Branch;  Past Board Member, Singapore Indian Chamber of Commerce & Industry; Ex Board Director at SICCI;  Ex Executive Director; Krishnapatnam Port Pte Ltd Ex GM Strategic Planning; Pacific International Lines (PTE) Ltd; Ex CEO; PST Managament Pte Ltd

Mr Jagmeet Makkar

Member

MSc (Energy Trade & Finance)

PCBA  FICS  FRINA  FIMarE(I)  FHKIArb  MCIArb,  Co-Founder & Drector – SkillsPlus & Pastiche, Chairman, Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers, HK,  Chairman, Maritime & Logistics Arbitration, HKCICA

Supporting member: London Maritime Arbitrators Assn.

A trainer and soft skills facilitator of international repute.

Capt K G Ramakrishna

Member

A Master Mariner with years of sea service and followed with many years of expertise in liner shipping, vessel agency and project logistics.  Heads country operations of a large organization with multiple verticals including cable, offshore and integrated logistics.

Capt. H Subramaniam

Member

17 years at sea, including VLCCs and offshore vessels.  Headed Ops dept & Commercial of major ship owner. Helmed loss prevention depts in The Shipowners’ Club, thereafter the Regional Head – Business relations. Dy Chairman of the MPA's National Maritime Safety at Sea Council. Chairperson of the NI (S'pore) and Fellow of its Main Governing Council. Chairperson of CMMI Singapore Branch. Member of ICS UK. MBA in HR & Intern'l management. PG Diploma in Marine Insurance. PG Diploma in Maritime energy from WMU

Capt R Venkatesh

Member

Trained on board TS  Rajendra (1981-82), sailed from 1981 to 2002 including 7 years in command. Worked in leadership positions with P&O Ports Chennai, JM Baxi , Sharaf Shipping Agency Dubai, and finally as CEO DP World Chennai till mid 2021.

Capt Nittin Handa

Member

Director (Regulatory Affairs) of Hong Kong Shipowners Assn since Jan'23. He started his maritime career as a Navigating Officer Cadet with Univan Ship Management in 1996, sailed on bulk carriers, oil and chemical tankers of various sizes, including VLCCs. He gained command in 2010.

Ritesh Kaushik

Member

Maritime Legal (Commercial, Admiralty & Insurance) and Technical Consultant, Partner at Kaushik & Associates (Mumbai-Delhi-Meerut), Techno-Legal Expert for Maritime Disputes/ Claims/ Recoveries, Marine (Chief) Engineer with over 15 years sea experience and expertise in O&G segment, LLM Intern'l Maritime Law (UK), LLM Legal Practice (Solicitors-UK), LLB (UK & India), B. Tech (DMET Kolkata), MICS (UK).

N R Krishna Kumar

Member

Former Director of Operations DNV Business Assurance India and Middle East.  A Naval Architect with wide experience in ship construction, ship surveying and offshore oil and gas industries. Currently, Founder and CEO, Karminn EzyPro QHSE SaaS software supporting the digital transformation needs in Healthcare and General Industries.

Jairaj Kunmar P

Member

A Marine Chief Engineer with significant sea experience, founder and former Chairman and MD of Ocean Sparkle Ltd, the leading Tug Owning and specialist Port Operations & marine services company in India with a diversified fleet of tugs, dredgers and support vessels under its ownership,

A philanthropist with active involvement in various charities and NGO's, he is also a Trustee of "Hrudaya Cure" a Little Heart Foundation. 

Sanjeev S Vakil

Member

Founder & CEO, HIMT Group of Institutes.  The first Marine Engineer globally to be conferred Fellowship from Nautical Institute, UK.

A Fellow of Institute of Marine Engineers, Fellow & Chartered Engineer of Institute of Engineers, VC of NMDC committee. Founder member and Head of South India, Maritime Trainers Guild. Bestowed Seatrade Award 2010, Maritime Standard Award 2019 and many others.

Amit Bharatkumar Oza

Member

Fellow of Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers, Member of The Baltic Exchange;   Director, Astramar Shipping & Trading Services, Commercial Shipping Expert. A maritime professional with 30 yrs of experience. Worked on setting of Gujarat Maritime University and Maritime Cluster. Involved with IFSCA for bringing fiscal and regulatory chane in shipping for IFSC zones. 

Capt V K Rajakrishnan

Member

Currently the CEO of Tristar Container Services (Asia) Ltd, he brings experience from previous roles at APL. V K Rajakrishnan is an alumni of the 1971 - 1973 B Tech in Mechanical Engineering @ Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi. With a robust skill set that includes Leadership, Customer Service, New Business Development, Business Development and more.

Capt Imam Farhat

Member

Former COO at Resolve Marine Group Inc, USA, he is a industry leader in Marine Salvage, emergency response and deeps sea towing.

Capt Mahendra Pal Bhasein

Member

Having over 40 years of maritime experience. He has been in command of various vessels including container, cape size bulker, specialised forest product carrier. He has been an ISO auditor. Currently heading MSC Crewing in India, engaged in recruitment and training of seafarers for both cargo and cruise ships.

Capt Achanta Shivakumar

Member, 

STARTED AS CADET and rose to the rank of CAPTAIN in 1990. Quit seafaring in 1996 and have been ashore since then. Since 1996 engaged in container shipping. He founded the NVOCC Panacea Lines which saw great success and he sold the business when the market was at its peak. He is currently a consultant and advisor.

Capt Ravi Kiran Dutta

Member

Master Mariner, cadet of training ship “Dufferin” where he won the Presidents Gold Medal, 15 years at sea. Est and built up companies in India, UAE, Thailand, Hong Kong with focus on multi-modal logistics, container shipping, port management, project management & financing. He is also a founding member and ex President of Chartered Institute of Transport in India.

Mr K V Ganesh

Member

An expert in maritime logistics, ship agency and heavylift projects, he is the Promoter and Managing Director,  Infinity Shipping Private Ltd, a leading Port Agency in India.

Capt Ashok Batura

Member

MD of Sinoda Shipping Agency Pte Ltd & Hon. Consul-General of The Republic of Malta for Singapore. He expanded from agency to Logistics, Crew Transportation and Containerr Trading and other business JV, like

Fin-Tech, IT,  Education Technology, Bulk Trading in Palm Oil and Cement,  Vocal Music School, etc etc

Mr J Ganeshram

Member

A 3rd gen entrepreneur with 28 yrs in the trade, he is the MD of PSTS Logistics. He initiated its backward integration from Agency and Trading to integrated logistics, Port and CFS Management. He started a JV with Reliance Logistics ("Relogistics (TN) Pvt. Ltd") in 2002 and was the CEO till 2007.  A Civil Engineer and MBA from MK University, he is a fellow of the ICS, UK.

B Jayakumar

Member

Marine Chief Engineer of 14 years experience, AMIE, MBA, ex VP-Tech (Sanmar), ex Director - Tech (TEBMA Shipyard), Currently promoter and Director of Nautex Maritime Pvt Ltd, Director of JN Shield P&I Services Pvt Ltd, Director - Admiral VTMS Services Pvt Ltd. Specialised in ship building, ship management, maritime risk management, VTS Services, Towing and Salvage.

Capt Narasimhan

Member

A C-Suite Executive, Master mariner, with more than 30 years experience. Currently the Chief Operating Officer of Sanmar Shipping (Singapore) Pte Ltd, he has earlier served as the Chief Operating Officer at  KC Maritime, Hong Kong and also CEO of  Apeejay Shipping Limited  and as  GM Operations - Shipping Division, The India Cements Ltd.

Capt MD Senthil Kumar

Member

Master Mariner with over 25 yrs of sea service with K Line, Frontline etc.

Specialized in Petroleum ships - transit loss control and support to traders. Ex-Marine Superintendent (K Line S'pore 2007_2010) Ship auditor - DNV-GL Certified. Fellow CMMI. 

Maritime Special skills trainer.

Mr Bodapati Chakrapani

Member

A qualified lawyer with the Bar Council of India since 2014. He practiced as a trial lawyer till 2022 handling civil/commercial cases. In 2022 he joined Fichte & Co, a Legal 500 law firm in Dubai.  Expertise is in international shipping and insurance laws.  He worked as a legal advisor (2010–2014) for a major shipping line in India and a sea career with rank experience as a C.Eng (1997–2009).

Mr Manoj Kumar Pandit

Member, 

An MBA from IIM, Lucknow.  over 30 years in Heavy Engineering & Maritime Industry. Held roles in Sub-Contract Management, Outsourcing & Training, was DGM – Production & Planning at L & T Shipbuilding. An expert in execution of Maritime engineering projects. Runs his own firm KARMINN CONSULTANCY, offering solutions in risk assessment, costing & control for Engineering Projects, including Ship repair and Shipbuilding.

Capt S Nandakumar

Member

A Master Mariner with extensive experience as Master on Log carriers,Multi-purpose vessels including complete container loads,Ro-Ro vessels and Bulk carriers.

(Supramax/Panamax/Post Panamax) ; currently sailing Master

Capt G C Shekar

Member

Master Mariner with 22 years experience at sea, 8 of these as Master of Ocean going vessels. Experienced in a wide range of container activities- including Port Operations and Intermodal Activities. Direct experience in recruitment as head of Marine HR for Maersk India for over 2 years.

Capt Digvijay Velapure

Member

A mechanical engineer specialised in Oil Spill Response Services and Oil Spill Clean up equipment supplies..