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ICS Madras Marks 30 Years with High-Level Dialogue on Circular Economy and Maritime Skills

Posted on Wednesday, February 11, 2026

Global President Punit Oza delivers the Presidential Address; Rear Admiral Satish Shenai graces the technical sessions, while Dr. Malini V. Shankar presides over the Anniversary Awards Night in Chennai

Chennai, 23 January 2026:
The Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers (ICS), Madras Branch, marked its 30th Anniversary Celebrations & Awards Night on Friday, 23 January 2026, at Hotel Turyaa, OMR, Chennai, bringing together maritime professionals, policymakers, academicians, and students for a full day of technical deliberations and celebratory recognition. The event was organised around the theme "Role of the Maritime Industry in a Circular Economy."

The celebrations commenced with a Technical Session, graced by the Guest of Honour, Rear Admiral Satish Shenai, NM, Flag Officer Commanding Tamil Nadu & Puducherry Area (FOTNA). The session featured two panel discussions focusing on sustainability, decarbonisation, and the future readiness of maritime professionals.

The first panel discussion, "Decarbonising at Sea: Onboard Carbon Capture and the Maritime Path to SDG 14," was moderated by Capt. K. G. Ramakrishnan, FICS, Past Chairman, ICS Madras Branch. The speakers, Dr. Ravi Raj Atrey, Country Lead - Ocean Centres India, UN Global Compact Network India, and Mr. Manikandan S., Chair, Blue Economy Expert Committee, Southern India Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SICCI), examined emerging technologies, policy frameworks, and industry pathways supporting sustainable ocean practices.

The second panel discussion, "Beyond Traditional Training: Preparing Maritime Professionals for a Net-Zero, Digitised Future," was moderated by Capt. John Prasad Menezes, FICS, Past Chairman, ICS Madras Branch. The panel featured Capt. Suresh Bhardwaj, Resident Director & Principal, MASSA Maritime Academy; Capt. Sundeep Inkurthy, Founder & CEO, Smartseas.AI; and Mr. Venkatesh Ramakrishnan, Head of Product Management, FrontM Ltd (UK). Discussions focused on digital transformation, future-oriented training, and evolving skill requirements in a decarbonising maritime sector.

Speaking on the occasion, Chairperson Ms. Arathi Narayanan, FICS, noted that the 30-year journey of the Madras Branch reflects the Institute's enduring commitment to education, professional development, and knowledge sharing within the maritime community.

The Anniversary Celebrations & Awards Night was graced by the Chief Guest, Dr. Malini V. Shankar, IAS (Retd.), Hon'ble Vice Chancellor, Indian Maritime University, and recognised academic excellence, professional milestones, and long-standing contributions to the growth of the ICS Madras Branch.

The Presidential Address was delivered by Mr. Punit Oza, FICS, Global President, Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers, who shared global perspectives on shipping markets, innovation, and maritime leadership.

The event was led by the Office Bearers of the ICS Madras Branch:

  • Ms. Arathi Narayanan, FICS - Chairperson
  • Capt. L. K. Lalit Kumar, FICS - Vice Chairman
  • Mr. Nilesh Kumar Sinha, MICS - Honorary Secretary
  • Mr. Venkatesh Ramakrishnan, MICS - Honorary Treasurer

Student awards, membership presentations, and felicitation of past chairpersons and contributors formed key highlights of the evening. The celebrations concluded with networking and a dinner, reinforcing the Institute's focus on professional excellence, collaboration, and future-ready maritime leadership.

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