New Delhi: The Government of India has officially reconstituted the National Shipping Board (NSB) with effect from April 30, 2025, appointing Sameer Kumar (SK) Khare (Retd IAS: 1989: AM) as its new Chairman.
Mr Khare succeeds Dr. Sanjeev Ranjan (Retd IAS: 1985: TR), the former Shipping Secretary, who had taken over the NSB leadership post-retirement in January 2023.
The reconstitution of the NSB, a statutory advisory body established under the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958, is a biennial exercise aimed at strengthening maritime governance and development in India. The Board, originally constituted on March 1, 1959, plays a pivotal role in advising the central government on policies and strategies to promote the shipping industry.
About New Chairman
Mr Khare brings to the role decades of public policy and economic governance experience. Prior to this appointment, he served as Additional Secretary in the Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, and was subsequently appointed as Executive Director of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Manila in September 2020. He is an alumnus of IIT Mumbai, holding a B.Tech degree, and is widely recognized for his contributions to economic policy and international development financing.
Composition of the New National Shipping Board
The newly constituted NSB comprises sixteen members representing key stakeholders from government bodies, industry associations, defense forces, and academia. The complete list of members is as follows:
- Ajithkumar Sukumaran, Chief Surveyor, Directorate General of Shipping, Mumbai
- Representative from the Marine Administration Wing, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
- Representative of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (not below the rank of Joint Secretary)
- Representative of the Indian Navy (not below the rank of Director)
- Representative of the Indian Coast Guard (not below the rank of Director)
- Rakesh Singh, Secretary, representing Indian Coastal Conference Shipping Association (ICCSA)
- Anil Laxman Devli, CEO, Indian National Shipowners’ Association (INSA)
- Rahul Modi, Representative, Coastal Container Transports Association (CCTA)
- Milind Kandalgaonkar, General Secretary-cum-Treasurer, National Union of Seafarers of India (NUSI)
- Captain Tushar Pradhan, General Secretary, Maritime Union of India (MUI)
- Arun Sharma, Executive Chairman, Indian Registrar of Shipping (IRS), Mumbai
- Chairman and Managing Director, Cochin Shipyard Limited
- Dr. K. Murali, Professor, Department of Ocean Engineering, IIT Madras
- Sanjam Sahi Gupta, Director, Sitara Shipping Ltd.
- Shantanu Kalita, Advisor, Indian Ports Association (IPA)
Strategic Role of NSB in India’s Maritime Ecosystem
The NSB’s mandate is increasingly critical as India pursues ambitious maritime reforms and modernization initiatives under the Sagarmala Programme, the Maritime India Vision 2030, and efforts to boost domestic shipbuilding and coastal shipping.
With S.K. Khare at the helm, the Board is expected to enhance synergy between policy, industry, and maritime infrastructure, particularly in areas related to sustainability, security, and international competitiveness.
About NSB
The NSB is an advisory body under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways that provides guidance on matters related to Indian shipping and shipping infrastructure. Established in 1959, it offers advice to the government on shipping development and other issues arising from the Merchant Shipping Act. The NSB is a statutory body with members elected or nominated by Parliament, Lok Sabha, and Rajya Sabha.
