3rd Mariners Capital Conclave – Mumbai Edition | India's Maritime Vision Meets Leadership, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship

The maritime industry stands at the threshold of one of the greatest transformations in its history. From decarbonization and digitalization to artificial intelligence, entrepreneurship, shipbuilding, and human capital development, the sector is evolving faster than ever before.

Recognizing this changing landscape, the DMET Club successfully organized the 3rd Mariners Capital Conclave – Mumbai Edition, bringing together some of India's most respected maritime leaders, entrepreneurs, naval veterans, policymakers, and industry professionals under one roof.

Hosted by Prateek Khanna, Founder of DMET Club and Director – Strategy & Planning, Yugen Infra, the conclave became a unique platform where industry veterans shared not only technical knowledge but also life lessons, entrepreneurial journeys, leadership philosophies, and India's roadmap toward becoming a global maritime powerhouse.

The event featured distinguished keynote speakers including Mr. P. K. Mishra, Managing Director of Indian Register of Shipping (IRS); Mr. Kaushik Seal, President of IMEI; Cmde. Mohit Goel, NM; Mr. Maneesh Pradhan, MD of Synergy Group; Mr. Keshav Aggarwala, Country Manager of NYKSM India; Ms. Sonali Banerjee, Founder & Director of VesselFix; Ms.Ritu Chaudhri, Director of Enmarol Petroleum India; Mr. Sheeshram Yadav, Founder & MD of Yugen Infra; Mr. Piyush Gupta, Founder, Qaaq.The conclave also recognized outstanding contributions to maritime education and innovation through special felicitation of Dr. Saptarshi Basu, Principal of Premier Maritime Training Institute, and Ms. Richa Awasthi, Founder & CEO of DMetify Private Limited.

India's Maritime Transformation Begins with Vision

Cdr. Gaurav Aggarwal (Retd.)

Marine Engineer | Naval Veteran | Author

Delivering the inaugural address, Gaurav Aggarwal reminded the audience that India has always been a maritime civilization. While the nation has continued producing world-class seafarers, it is now time to reclaim its historic position as a global maritime leader.

He highlighted transformational government initiatives including Maritime India Vision 2030, Sagarmala, Viksit Bharat 2047, green ports, smart ports, indigenous shipbuilding, and modern maritime infrastructure.

However, he cautioned that the journey forward would require addressing major global challenges including sustainability regulations, geopolitical uncertainty, digital transformation, and the protection of seafarers.

One of the most emotional moments of the conclave came when he requested everyone to observe a moment of silence in memory of Indian seafarers who had lost their lives while serving the nation in conflict-prone waters.

He concluded by encouraging every stakeholder industry, government, entrepreneurs, and young professionals to work together toward making India the lighthouse of global shipping.

Success Starts with Self

Mr. Kaushik Seal

President, IMEI

Rather than discussing ships and regulations, Mr. Kaushik Seal chose to speak about something even more important: the person behind the profession.

Drawing upon over four decades of maritime experience, he explained that long-term success depends on discipline rather than talent alone.

He encouraged professionals to prioritize:

• Quality sleep

• Physical fitness

• Yoga

• Healthy nutrition

• Mental well-being

• Stress management

• Oral hygiene

• Gut health

According to him, careers are built not only through technical competence but also through healthy bodies and balanced minds.

He also praised Mr. Prateek Khanna, calling him an example of resilience whose determination demonstrates that setbacks should never stop anyone from pursuing meaningful goals.

Shipping's Future Rests on Three Pillars

Mr. P. K. Mishra

Managing Director, Indian Register of Shipping (IRS)

One of the most insightful sessions of the conclave was delivered by Mr. P. K. Mishra, Managing Director of IRS.

He began by appreciating the efforts of the DMET Club in creating a platform where maritime professionals, entrepreneurs, students, and policymakers could exchange ideas for the industry's future.

According to him, the future of shipping rests upon three fundamental pillars:

• Decarbonization

• Digitalization

• Resilience & Sustainable Growth

Speaking about decarbonization, he explained the IMO's revised greenhouse gas strategy targeting net-zero emissions by 2050, with intermediate milestones requiring significant reductions by 2030 and 2040.

He highlighted technologies such as:

• Air lubrication systems

• Advanced hull coatings

• Propeller optimization

• Carbon capture systems

• Green methanol

• Green ammonia

• Hydrogen

• Biofuels

• LNG as a transition fuel

• Nuclear propulsion as a future possibility

He emphasized that shipping's future would not depend upon a single fuel but a multi-fuel ecosystem.

Speaking about India, he highlighted Maritime India Vision 2030 and Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, where India aims to become one of the world's top five shipbuilding nations.

He further discussed India's preparations for green bunkering infrastructure, including LNG facilities at JNPA and methanol bunkering initiatives at Deendayal Port and Tuticorin, supporting the development of future green corridors.

On digitalization, he described how predictive maintenance, smart sensors, AI-driven berth allocation, digital twins, just-in-time arrival systems, autonomous shipping, and cybersecurity standards are transforming modern shipping.

Finally, he emphasized that resilience extends beyond ships to the entire maritime ecosystem including ports, tourism, logistics, and ocean sustainability. Referring to recent geopolitical tensions and the loss of Indian seafarers during the Hormuz crisis, he reminded everyone that while shipping quietly carries nearly 95% of India's trade by volume, the sacrifices of seafarers often remain unseen.

He concluded by inviting the maritime community to participate in INMEX, highlighting it as an international platform to advance collaboration and innovation.

Leadership Is Built Through Unexpected Journeys

Mr. Keshav Aggarwala

Country Manager, NYKSM India

Mr. Keshav Aggarwala shared an inspiring personal journey from sailing as a marine engineer to leading NYK Ship Management's Indian operations.

He admitted that his career was far from linear. At one stage, he even considered leaving shipping to join his family's business before realizing that the sea remained his true calling.

Returning with renewed determination, he progressed through various leadership positions across Singapore, the Philippines, and India.

His central message was simple:

Careers rarely go according to plan. Success comes from making the best of every opportunity.

He also encouraged young professionals to build strong personal brands through integrity, communication, consistency, and leadership.

Shipbuilding Is National Power

Cmde. Mohit Goel, NM

Chief Quality Officer, Mumbai

Cmde. Mohit Goel explained that shipbuilding should never be viewed merely as an industrial activity.

Instead, it represents:

• National security

• Economic growth

• Manufacturing capability

• Strategic independence

• Employment generation

• Geopolitical influence

Using China's shipbuilding ecosystem as a case study, he demonstrated how sustained government policy, financing, and industrial planning created global leadership.

He emphasized that India possesses a unique opportunity to become a major shipbuilding nation but must improve financing mechanisms, productivity, delivery timelines, and manufacturing capabilities to seize the opportunity.

Building a Preventive Healthcare Ecosystem for the Maritime Community 

Mr. Dibyendu Nandi Co-founder & Chief Business Officer, LivLong 

Dibyendu Nandi highlighted the importance of preventive healthcare and wellness for maritime professionals. He explained that while insurance provides financial protection, good health begins with regular check-ups, proper nutrition, exercise, and timely medical care.

He introduced LivLong's "Ramu Kaka" healthcare concierge, a dedicated support service that helps users and their families with doctor consultations, diagnostic tests, hospital admissions, surgeries, ambulance services, and post-treatment care.

He also presented the Mariners Gold Package, built around four pillars Prevention, Care, Cure, and Support to provide comprehensive healthcare solutions for seafarers and their families. He concluded by emphasizing that investing in preventive healthcare today leads to a healthier and more secure future.

Seafarers Remain Shipping's Greatest Asset

Mr. Maneesh Pradhan

Managing Director, Synergy Group

Mr. Maneesh Pradhan focused on the industry's most valuable resource, the seafarer.

He emphasized that technology should reduce administrative burdens rather than increase paperwork.

Introducing his Four C Theory, he explained that sustainable organizations are built upon:

• Competency

• Culture

• Cause

• Consistency

He also spoke about the mentoring tradition at DMET, where senior officers regularly returned to guide junior cadets, highlighting mentorship as one of the industry's greatest strengths.

Breaking Barriers in Maritime

Ms. Sonali Banerjee

Founder & Director, VesselFix

As one of India's pioneering women marine engineers, Sonali Banerjee shared her journey of entering an industry where women were once almost absent from engine rooms.

She emphasized that while representation has improved, real inclusion must extend to women from rural India and smaller towns.

She also discussed the entrepreneurial challenges within marine services, highlighting issues related to funding, delayed payments, certifications, and manufacturing scale.

Her message encouraged stronger collaboration among industry, financial institutions, and government to create a thriving marine manufacturing ecosystem.

Innovation Through Collaboration

Ms. Ritu Chaudhri

Director, Enmarol Petroleum India

Ms. Ritu Chaudhri delivered a compelling session on the transformative role of combustion catalyst technology in enhancing fuel efficiency, reducing emissions, and supporting the maritime industry's transition toward sustainable shipping. She explained that improving combustion is not merely about saving fuel, it directly contributes to lowering greenhouse gas emissions, reducing engine deposits, minimizing maintenance costs, and extending the operational life of marine engines.

She presented validated industry findings from organizations such as Shell Marine, ClassNK, ABS, CIMAC, Intertek, VPS, SGS, and IRS, demonstrating that advanced combustion catalyst technology has consistently achieved 2–4% fuel savings, improved ignition quality, reduced afterburn, and enhanced combustion efficiency across various fuel types including HFO, VLSFO, and LSMGO. She emphasized that these technologies help shipowners improve Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) performance and meet evolving environmental regulations without requiring expensive engine modifications or installation downtime.

Drawing on global operational experience, she highlighted how combustion catalysts have been successfully implemented across hundreds of vessels, delivering measurable reductions in fuel consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, and spare-part maintenance while supporting slow steaming strategies and improving engine cleanliness over extended periods.

Beyond technology, Ms. Ritu Chaudhri stressed that innovation cannot happen in isolation. She emphasized that meaningful progress requires close collaboration among maritime companies, shipowners, technology providers, classification societies, research organizations, startups, and industry professionals. By combining proven technologies with industry-wide partnerships, knowledge sharing, and continuous innovation, the maritime sector can accelerate its journey toward greater operational efficiency, regulatory compliance, and long-term sustainability. Her address reinforced that the future of global shipping will be shaped not only by technological advancements but also by a collaborative ecosystem committed to building a cleaner, smarter, and more resilient maritime industry.

Knowledge Saves Lives

Mr. Piyush Gupta

Founder, Qaaq (Maritime Procurement Platform) 

One of the most engaging sessions came from Piyush Gupta, who shared real-life engineering experiences from sea.

He narrated how a piston cooling alarm once threatened to delay a vessel, potentially costing the company nearly $100,000. Instead of accepting defeat after failing to find a spare switch, he relied on his engineering fundamentals, identified a Wheatstone bridge circuit on the PCB, adjusted its sensitivity, and successfully restored the system.

That experience reinforced his lifelong belief that knowledge can save both lives and businesses.

He later spoke about witnessing significant differences in safety standards between international and Indian fleets, inspiring him to improve the quality of life for seafarers.

Another emotional incident involved receiving a distress call from a vessel in poor condition. He admitted that the experience left him questioning his own responsibilities as a superintendent and eventually motivated him to establish his own maritime technology venture.

Inspired by digital platforms, he founded Quack, an AI-enabled marine procurement platform that instantly connects ship managers with verified local vendors worldwide. Instead of manually contacting thousands of suppliers during emergencies, Quack automatically identifies relevant vendors based on location and product category, helping ships source critical spare parts within hours.

His session beautifully demonstrated how practical engineering experience, resilience, and technology can solve real-world maritime challenges.

Talent Matters More Than Language

Mr. Sheeshram Yadav

Founder & Managing Director, Yugen Infra

Sheeshram Yadav delivered one of the most motivating sessions of the conclave by sharing his personal journey from a small village in Haryana to becoming an entrepreneur.

He recalled studying in a government school where English education began only in the sixth standard. Reflecting on his childhood, he remarked that his young son now speaks better English than he did at the same age. However, he emphasized that communication and intelligence are not the same.

According to him, India often mistakes fluency in English for intelligence, a mindset shaped by history. True success, he argued, comes from hard work, resilience, dedication, and common sense, not from language alone.

Having worked with professionals from IIMs, IITs, and even Harvard, he observed that intelligence contributes only a small part to success. What truly differentiates people is discipline, persistence, and the willingness to keep improving.

Sharing his career journey through banking, finance, real estate brokerage, and property development, he offered honest advice to aspiring entrepreneurs. Starting a business, he said, is not glamorous; it demands complete commitment, sacrifice, and the willingness to devote more time to the business than even to one's personal life. Entrepreneurship requires accepting uncertainty while continuing to move forward with conviction.

His address inspired young professionals to believe in themselves, embrace resilience, and understand that determination often outperforms credentials.

Honouring Excellence

A special felicitation ceremony recognized distinguished contributions to maritime education and innovation.

Dr. Saptarshi Basu, Principal of Premier Maritime Training Institute, was honoured for his outstanding contribution to maritime education, professional training, and the development of future seafarers.

Ms. Richa Awasthi, Founder & CEO of DMetify Private Limited, was also felicitated for her pioneering efforts in leveraging digital innovation to support maritime learning, career development, and industry engagement.

The recognition reflected the conclave's commitment to celebrating individuals who are shaping the future of maritime education and technology.

Conclusion

The 3rd Mariners Capital Conclave – Mumbai Edition was far more than a conference; it was a convergence of experience, vision, innovation, and purpose. From India's maritime ambitions and the future of green shipping to entrepreneurship, leadership, digital transformation, seafarer welfare, and lifelong learning, every session reinforced a common belief: the future of Indian maritime will be built not only through ships and ports, but through people.

The event showcased how collaboration between industry leaders, educators, entrepreneurs, and young professionals can drive meaningful change. As India advances toward the goals of Maritime India Vision 2030 and Viksit Bharat 2047, conclaves like this play a vital role in inspiring the next generation to innovate, lead, and strengthen the nation's position in global shipping.

The discussions ended with optimism and a shared commitment to build a maritime ecosystem that is sustainable, technologically advanced, resilient, and globally competitive. Through the collective efforts of its people, India is steadily charting its course toward becoming one of the world's leading maritime nations.