Karan Kochhar

Managing Director at Maersk Fleet Management and Technology (India) Pvt Ltd at A.P. Moller ‐ Maersk

Speaker

After an illustrious career at sea and graduating at the top of his class at Cornell’s Executive Management Program, Captain Karan Kochhar heads Maersk Fleet Management and Technology (India) Pvt Ltd at A.P. Moller – Maersk, an integrated logistics company.

Karan, with over 24 years of experience in the shipping industry across a diversity of roles, is a performance‐driven leader who brings to the table a strong understanding of business needs, it's key priorities, operational challenges and problem-solving expertise.

Passionate about creating an ecosystem where gender representation is #EqualAtSea, his purpose is to ensure the maritime industry is not only conducive, but a preferred career choice for women in India. With the formidable goal of increasing the proportion of women cadets inducted into Maersk’s fleet to 50% by 2027 (from 7.6% in 2021), he and his team have rolled out India’s first women seafarers cadet program.

During the pandemic, Karan led his team to successfully implement the momentous task of establishing an entirely new and first of its kind operational ecosystem that effectively tackled the crew change crisis that hit the shipping industry globally due to border lockdowns. He initiated set‐up of dedicated isolation facilities, charter flights and pre‐embarkation hubs that allowed Maersk to undertake mass crew changes (approx 200 seafarers at a time) and resolved a high level crisis situation that was impacting not just global supply chains, but individual sailors and their families too.

He has achieved the distinction of being the global top ranker in the ICS (Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers) Shipping Business Professional Qualification. During his time at sea, he was responsible for a safe and successful implementation of a highly complex project involving experimental loading of high risk cargo carried out for the first time in the industry.

For his team, Karan is not just a leader with a purpose, but a mentor who is personally involved in evolving and empowering talent and ensuring all rounded growth and success for his team members.

He is also a fitness enthusiast, and an avid marathon runner. He has two beautiful daughters Karma and Nirvana, and accomplished partner Shubhreet, who inspires him and plays a key role in his success story.