The Government of India has reconstituted the National Shipping Board (NSB) effective April 30, 2025, appointing Sameer Kumar (S.K.) Khare (Retd IAS: 1989: AM) as the new Chairman. He takes over from Dr. Sanjeev Ranjan (Retd IAS: 1985: TR), former Shipping Secretary, who had led the Board since January 2023.
The NSB, a statutory advisory body under the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958, plays a critical role in shaping maritime policy and advising the central government on the development of India’s shipping sector. The Board undergoes reconstitution every two years to ensure continued alignment with evolving industry and policy goals.
About the New Chairman
Mr. Khare brings extensive experience in public administration, economic policy, and international development. He previously served as Additional Secretary in the Department of Economic Affairs and later represented India as Executive Director at the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in Manila. An alumnus of IIT Mumbai, he is widely recognized for his strategic insights into economic governance and global finance.
Composition of the Reconstituted National Shipping Board
The newly formed NSB includes 16 members, representing various arms of the government, defense, industry associations, trade unions, and academia. Here is the full list:
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Ajithkumar Sukumaran, Chief Surveyor, Directorate General of Shipping, Mumbai
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Representative, Marine Administration Wing, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
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Representative, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (not below Joint Secretary rank)
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Representative, Indian Navy (not below Director rank)
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Representative, Indian Coast Guard (not below Director rank)
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Rakesh Singh, Secretary, Indian Coastal Conference Shipping Association (ICCSA)
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Anil Laxman Devli, CEO, Indian National Shipowners’ Association (INSA)
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Rahul Modi, Representative, Coastal Container Transports Association (CCTA)
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Milind Kandalgaonkar, General Secretary-cum-Treasurer, National Union of Seafarers of India (NUSI)
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Captain Tushar Pradhan, General Secretary, Maritime Union of India (MUI)
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Arun Sharma, Executive Chairman, Indian Registrar of Shipping (IRS), Mumbai
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Chairman and MD, Cochin Shipyard Limited
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Dr. K. Murali, Professor, Department of Ocean Engineering, IIT Madras
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Sanjam Sahi Gupta, Director, Sitara Shipping Ltd.
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Shantanu Kalita, Advisor, Indian Ports Association (IPA)
A Strategic Maritime Body for India’s Future
The reconstitution comes at a time when India is ramping up its maritime ambitions under initiatives like the Sagarmala Programme and the Maritime India Vision 2030, which aim to bolster shipbuilding, improve port infrastructure, and promote coastal shipping. Under Mr. Khare’s leadership, the Board is expected to enhance coordination between policy and industry, especially in areas like sustainability, port connectivity, maritime security, and global competitiveness.
About the National Shipping Board
Formed in 1959, the NSB serves as a statutory advisory panel under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways. It is tasked with providing expert guidance on maritime policy and implementation of the Merchant Shipping Act, with members elected or nominated by both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.
