INSPIRATIONAL WOMEN IN INDIAN MARITIME
The maritime sector has seen the emergence of several trailblazing women whose achievements have not only broken barriers but also inspired a new generation to pursue seafaring careers. These stories highlight resilience, determination, and excellence in a traditionally male-dominated field.
Ms. Kiran Dhingra IAS (Retd.)
First Woman Director General of Shipping
Mrs. Kiran Dhingra stands as a remarkable example of leadership, resilience, and excellence in public service. Known for her sharp acumen and dynamic approach, she carved a path for herself in a domain traditionally dominated by men, inspiring generations of women to aim higher and break barriers.
Belonging to the prestigious 1975 batch of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Mrs. Dhingra’s journey has been one of determination and distinction. During her tenure from 17 April 2006 to 11 September 2008, she achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first woman to head one of the highest executive offices, marking her entry into an almost entirely male bastion. This achievement was not just personal—it symbolized a broader shift toward inclusivity and equality in leadership roles.
With an illustrious career spanning over 40 years, Mrs. Dhingra has accumulated deep expertise in infrastructure development and regulatory frameworks. Her ability to navigate complex administrative systems with clarity and efficiency made her a respected figure both within government and beyond. Even after her retirement as an IAS officer, she continued to contribute meaningfully to the nation’s progress.
Her leadership extended into the corporate sphere, where she held top positions on the boards of Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs). In 2015, she joined Goa Carbon Ltd. as an Independent Director, bringing with her a wealth of experience, governance insight, and strategic vision. Her presence strengthened organizational oversight and reinforced ethical business practices.
Mrs. Dhingra’s journey reflects not only professional success but also the courage to challenge norms and redefine what is possible for women in leadership. Her story is a powerful reminder that excellence, when backed by determination and integrity, can transcend all barriers. She continues to inspire countless individuals—especially women—to pursue their ambitions with confidence, resilience, and a commitment to making a difference.
Dr. Malini Shankar
First Woman Vice-Chancellor of Indian Maritime University
Dr. Malini V. Shankar is a pioneer in India’s maritime and administrative landscape, exemplifying excellence, intellect, and inspiring leadership. Her journey reflects not only personal accomplishment but also a powerful stride toward greater representation of women in critical national sectors.
Dr. Shankar made history by becoming the first woman Vice-Chancellor of the Indian Maritime University (IMU). This landmark achievement positioned her at the helm of a premier institution responsible for shaping the future of India’s maritime workforce, a field traditionally dominated by men. Her leadership at IMU marked a transformative phase, emphasizing academic excellence, global standards, and institutional growth.
An accomplished academic, Dr. Shankar holds a Ph.D. from IIT Madras, one of India’s most prestigious institutions. Her intellectual rigor and commitment to policy and governance have been central to her distinguished career.
Prior to her role at IMU, she served as the Director General of Shipping, where she played a pivotal role in strengthening India’s maritime policies and regulatory frameworks. Continuing her contribution to the sector, Dr. Shankar currently serves as the Chairperson of the National Shipping Board, guiding strategic decisions that impact India’s maritime industry at the national level. Her deep expertise and visionary outlook have consistently influenced the development and modernization of the shipping sector. Adding to her remarkable achievements, Dr. Shankar is also the first Indian woman to receive the prestigious global AAA Award from the Asian Institute of Maritime Studies (AIM), Manila. This international recognition underscores her outstanding contribution to maritime administration and her standing as a global leader in the field.
Dr. Malini Shankar’s journey is a powerful testament to perseverance, excellence, and breaking barriers. She has not only excelled in high-responsibility roles but has also paved the way for women to aspire to leadership positions in specialized and challenging domains. Her story continues to inspire aspiring professionals—especially women—to pursue paths of impact and leadership with confidence, dedication, and a vision for change.
Ms. Anna Malhotra
A Trailblazer in India’s Maritime Sector
Anna Malhotra, India’s first woman IAS officer, holds a distinguished place in the history of Indian public administration and India’s maritime sector. Born in 1927 in Kerala, she entered the Civil Services in 1950, breaking significant barriers for women at a time when senior administrative positions were predominantly held by men. During her distinguished career, she served in several important positions in both the State and Central Governments and went on to become the first woman to serve as a Secretary to the Government of India.
Her contribution to India’s maritime development was particularly significant during her tenure as Chairperson of the Nhava Sheva Port Trust. She played a key leadership role in the establishment and development of Nhava Sheva Port, now known as Jawaharlal Nehru Port (JNPA). The port subsequently emerged as one of India’s most important container ports and represented a major step towards the modernisation and technological advancement of the country’s port sector.
Her journey—from overcoming resistance to the entry of women into the higher civil services to leading a major national infrastructure and maritime development project—stands as an enduring example of determination, administrative excellence and leadership.
Through her achievements, Anna Malhotra demonstrated that women could successfully lead complex infrastructure projects and hold positions of the highest responsibility in public administration and the maritime sector. Her pioneering career helped pave the way for future generations of women aspiring to leadership roles in shipping, ports, maritime administration and public service.
In recognition of her distinguished service to the nation, she was conferred the Padma Bhushan in 1989. Anna Malhotra’s legacy continues to inspire women across India’s maritime sector to break barriers, assume leadership roles and contribute meaningfully to the growth, modernisation and transformation of India’s maritime ecosystem.
Ms. Reshma Nilofer
First Female Maritime Pilot of our country
Reshma Nilofer Visalakshi stands as a pioneering figure in the maritime sector, breaking long-standing gender barriers as India’s first and only woman marine pilot, and one of the very few women river pilots globally. Her journey reflects determination, resilience, and excellence in one of the most technically demanding and high-risk maritime roles.
She began her career as a trainee pilot in 2011, entering the maritime field after being at sea onboard Maersk-owned container ships. Through consistent effort and significant professional growth, she qualified as a fully-fledged marine pilot in 2018. Since then, she has successfully handled some of the largest vessels calling Haldia and Kolkata ports, operating in the Hooghly River at Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port (Kolkata)—widely recognized as one of the most challenging pilotage environments globally due to strong tidal currents, narrow navigation channels, and shifting river conditions.
Her contributions have been widely recognized, including being honoured with one of the highest civilian recognitions in India “Nari Shakti Puruskar” in 2019, presented by the President of India. Beyond her operational excellence, she has emerged as a strong advocate for gender inclusion in maritime, actively promoting awareness and encouraging women to pursue careers in the sector.
Reshma’s journey has not been without challenges. She has openly highlighted issues such as gender stereotyping, limited career advancement opportunities, maternity discrimination, and the lack of robust mechanisms to address workplace harassment. Her experiences reflect the broader structural challenges faced by women in maritime, while also emphasizing the need for stronger institutional support systems.
Despite these obstacles, she has continued to excel, demonstrating that competence and leadership are not defined by gender. Her story serves as a powerful inspiration, reinforcing the importance of initiatives such as Sagar Mein Samman, which aim to create a safer, more inclusive, and enabling environment for women in maritime.
Capt. Radhika Menon
2016 IMO Award for Exceptional Bravery at Sea
Captain Radhika Menon stands as one of the most distinguished figures in Indian maritime history, exemplifying exceptional courage, leadership, and professional excellence. As the Master of the oil products tanker Sampurna Swarajya, she demonstrated extraordinary bravery during a high-risk rescue operation in the Bay of Bengal, earning global recognition.
In June 2015, while navigating through severe weather conditions with wave heights exceeding 25 feet and winds over 60 knots, her vessel spotted a fishing boat (Durgamma) adrift near the coast of Gopalpur, Odisha. The boat had suffered engine failure, lost its anchor, and its crew had been left without food and water, surviving only on ice from the vessel’s cold storage.
Recognizing the urgency of the situation, Captain Menon immediately initiated a rescue operation under extremely challenging conditions. Despite strong winds, heavy rain, and dangerous swells, she led multiple attempts using a pilot ladder and safety gear. After three difficult attempts, all seven fishermen—exhausted and on the verge of collapse—were safely brought onboard. The rescue operation reunited them with their families, who had already presumed them lost at sea.
For her exceptional courage and leadership, Captain Radhika Menon was awarded the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Award for Exceptional Bravery at Sea (2016), becoming the first woman globally to receive this prestigious honour. The award is conferred by the United Nations specialized agency for maritime safety and recognizes individuals who risk their own lives to save others at sea.
Captain Menon’s achievement is significant not only for the act of bravery itself but also for its symbolic value in advancing gender inclusion in maritime. As one of the first women captains in the Indian Merchant Navy, her journey represents breaking barriers in a traditionally a male-dominated professional.
Ms Sonali Banerjee
First woman Marine Engineer of India
Sonali Banerjee’s journey is a powerful example of what determination can achieve when ambition meets barriers. As India’s first woman marine engineer, she opened a path into a profession where women had long been absent, demonstrating that technical excellence and leadership belong to everyone.
Born in Allahabad, Sonali’s fascination with the sea began with stories shared by a family member serving in the Merchant Navy. Those accounts of ocean voyages inspired a dream that she pursued despite societal reservations and family apprehensions. Her resolve would eventually help change the possibilities available to women in Indian maritime. In 1995, she became the first woman to enroll at the Marine Engineering Research Institute (MERI), Kolkata. Entering an institution designed entirely for men meant confronting challenges beyond the classroom. With no women’s hostel or established facilities for female cadets, special residential arrangements had to be made. Her presence prompted the institution to accommodate a future it had never previously envisaged.
After completing her degree in 1999, Sonali encountered another barrier: securing onboard training. Several shipping companies were reluctant to engage a woman trainee. She persevered, eventually joining Mobil Shipping Company and gaining practical experience across international routes, including Sri Lanka, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Hong Kong, Fiji and the Gulf region.
In August 2001, she achieved a defining milestone, serving at sea as India’s first woman marine engineer. Working in the demanding environment of a ship’s engine room, she demonstrated the competence, discipline and resilience required of maritime professionals. Her pioneering achievements continued in 2007, when she became the first woman in the Indian Mercantile Marine to obtain the Class 1 Certificate of Competency, qualifying her for the highest level of responsibility in marine engineering at sea.
She subsequently brought her experience ashore, serving as a Manning Superintendent, Technical Manager and, later, Principal Surveyor with the Indian Register of Shipping. Her progression across operational, managerial and technical roles illustrates the breadth of opportunities a maritime career can offer. Today, she leads two entrepreneurial ventures, continuing her contribution to the Indian maritime industry.
Sonali’s legacy extends beyond being the first. Every barrier she crossed helped make the next woman’s journey more possible. Her story encourages aspiring women to pursue maritime careers with confidence, reminding them that perseverance, knowledge and professional excellence can transform an individual ambition into lasting progress for an entire industry for future generations.
Ms. Suneeti Bala
First woman chief engineer onboard a marine vessel
Suneeti Bala stands among the pioneering women in India’s maritime sector, rising to the position of Chief Engineer onboard a merchant vessel, a rank achieved by very few women in the field. Her journey reflects determination, resilience, and the ability to overcome deeply rooted gender biases in a traditionally male-dominated profession.
Coming from a middle-class family in Uttar Pradesh, Suneeti developed an early fascination with a career at sea, inspired by her father’s background in the armed forces. Despite limited awareness about maritime careers, she joined the Marine Engineering Research Institute (MERI), Kolkata in 1998, becoming one of the very few women to enroll in the institute at the time.
Her initial years at MERI were challenging, as female cadets were rare, and she had to navigate a largely male-dominated environment. Acceptance from peers took time, and she encountered stereotypes that questioned the suitability of women in maritime engineering roles. However, she approached these challenges with resilience, focusing on her abilities rather than societal perceptions.
Suneeti began her sea-going career as a Junior Engineer with Chevron Shipping in 2002 and steadily progressed through the ranks, gaining expertise and experience across different vessels. Over the years, she rose to the position of Chief Engineer with the Shipping Corporation of India (SCI), managing critical engineering operations onboard ships.
Her professional journey was not without its hurdles. Despite her experience, she frequently had to prove her competence repeatedly, as colleagues initially doubted her capabilities due to gender biases. However, through consistent performance and dedication, she earned respect and recognition within the maritime community.
Suneeti also addressed common misconceptions about safety for women at sea, stating that seafarers are generally professional, disciplined, and supportive, and that a woman’s safety onboard depends largely on awareness, professionalism, and mutual respect among crew members.
Ms. Nyari Nain
Author – “Anchor My Heart”
Nyari Nain represents a new generation of women in maritime who are not only excelling professionally but also shaping the narrative of gender inclusion through advocacy and storytelling. As a Third Engineer, her journey reflects both the opportunities and challenges faced by women in contemporary seafaring.
Her entry into the maritime profession was not accidental but driven by a strong desire to pursue a technically demanding and responsible career. After preparing for competitive examinations, she chose to enter the merchant navy and completed her pre-sea training at IMI Noida. She later joined a leading global ship management company, gaining experience across multiple vessel types and operational environments.
Nyari’s professional journey highlights the dual realities of maritime careers for women. While she has demonstrated competence in managing complex machinery and working in high-pressure environments such as engine rooms, she has also faced deep-rooted biases and stereotypes. As she notes, being a woman often means being judged even before demonstrating capability, requiring women to work harder to prove their competence.
Her experiences also bring attention to key structural challenges in the industry, including:
- Gender bias in operational roles, particularly in engineering departments
- Maternity-related career discontinuity and lack of re-entry mechanisms
- Inadequate handling of harassment cases and lack of transparency
- Limited opportunities for career advancement and leadership roles
What sets Nyari apart is her ability to articulate these realities through her literary work. Her debut book, “Anchor My Heart”, captures the life of a woman marine engineer at sea, highlighting the professional struggles, emotional challenges, and personal resilience required to navigate both life onboard and relationships ashore. The book has contributed to increasing awareness about the lived experiences of women seafarers and has resonated widely within and beyond the maritime community. In India, the book was released by Hon’ble Nitin Gadkari, Shipping Minister and was recently unveiled at the Sharjah International Book Fair.
In addition to her professional work, Nyari Nain actively advocates for greater awareness, gender sensitization, and inclusivity in the maritime sector. She emphasizes the importance of changing mindsets and building an environment where women are accepted as equal contributors, rather than exceptions. She was also featured in the Friday Magazine, Dubai and awarded the Young Seafarer Achievement Award by the DG Shipping and the Government of India for her book. She is also a TEDx speaker.
Capt. Suneha Gadpande
From Making a Place at Sea to Making the Sea a Place for Women
Capt. Suneha Gadpande exemplifies determination, leadership and the growing presence of women in maritime. Recognised among the 100 Women Achievers of India in 2016, she was honoured at Rashtrapati Bhavan by the then Hon’ble President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee. This recognition marked a significant milestone for the maritime fraternity, bringing an unprecedented national attention to the contributions of seafarers and women’s achievements in the profession.
Over more than two decades, she has progressed from nautical cadet to command at sea and senior marine and safety roles ashore. She joined the Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) in 2003 as part of its pioneering batch of women nautical cadets. During training, she served as Batch Commander, presented the Guard of Honour and was recognised as the Best Cadet. All three women in her batch continued their seafaring careers and ultimately progressed to command.
After obtaining her Master’s Certificate of Competency in 2011, she joined NYK Shipmanagement in 2012. At a time when opportunities for Indian women deck officers were limited, her career demonstrated their ability to succeed and lead in international shipping. In 2016, she joined TORM A/S, where she also served ashore as HSSE Manager (Vetting).
Her unwavering determination to command brought her back to sea in 2019, when an Indian woman made history by becoming the first woman Captain in TORM's 130-year legacy, an international shipping organisation known for its commitment to equal opportunities for women. She also became the first Indian woman to earn a hierarchical promotion to Captain within an international shipping organisation, having successfully completed its established assessments and formal promotion procedures.
In March 2021, she returned to SCI to command MT Swarna Krishna with its historic all-women officers’ team, first in maritime history, demonstrating women’s leadership across both deck and engineering departments. She subsequently served as HSEQ Marine Superintendent with Maersk Tankers in India before joining Hafnia in Singapore in 2022. Alongside her marine and HSEQ responsibilities, she contributes to mentorship, career guidance and discussions on gender-sensitive protective equipment for women seafarers.
Her spirit of exploration extends beyond the sea. In January 2019, she undertook a road journey from Mumbai to Bangkok and back, reflecting her passion for travel and willingness to embrace new challenges. As a maritime leader and single mother by choice through Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART), Capt. Gadpande’s journey highlights the importance of supporting women’s professional ambitions and personal choices. Her story embodies the vision of Sagar Mein Samman: a maritime profession where women can enter with confidence, progress with dignity and lead with competence.
Her message to women at sea:
“Live your life to the fullest. This profession is equally yours as it is anyone else’s. Own it and sail through it. You do not need anyone’s permission. Just your skills and your competence.”
Ms. Amreen Bano
India's First Woman Electro-Technical Officer (ETO) to Obtain a Certificate of Competency (CoC)
Amreen Bano, is a symbol of resilience, technical excellence Breaking Barriers, Building Futures, she has emerged as a wave of change for gender equality in maritime.
As India's First Woman Electro-Technical Officer (ETO) to obtain a Certificate of Competency (CoC) and currently serving as an Electrical Superintendent in shipbuilding projects in south Korea and her journey represents determination, perseverance, and the courage to challenge convention. Her achievements have not only broken long-standing barriers but have also inspired a new generation of women to confidently pursue careers at sea.
Born in Meerut and driven by a passion for engineering, Amreen pursued a degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering (Marine) from AMET, Chennai, with a clear ambition to become an Electro-Technical Officer. However, her path was far from easy. Despite strong academic credentials, she faced repeated rejections solely because she was a woman entering a traditionally male-dominated profession. Rather than allowing these setbacks to discourage her, she chose perseverance and refused to give up on her dream.
Her breakthrough came when the Shipping Corporation of India offered her an opportunity as a Trainee Electro-Technical Officer. Through dedication, professional competence, and relentless hard work, Amreen made history by becoming the first Indian woman ETO to obtain a Certificate of Competency. This achievement marked a significant milestone not only in her career but also in the broader journey toward gender diversity in the maritime sector.
Over more than seven years at sea, serving on tanker vessels and VLCCs, Amreen gained extensive experience in electrical systems, automation, and critical shipboard operations. Her technical expertise and ability to perform under demanding conditions earned her professional respect across the industry. Today, she continues to contribute to maritime excellence through Maersk's new building projects in South Korea, where she is involved in advanced vessel construction, electrical installation, commissioning, and quality assurance activities for next-generation vessels while upholding the highest standards of safety, reliability, and operational excellence.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Amreen is deeply committed to empowering women in maritime. She actively mentors aspiring women seafarers, shares her experiences, and advocates for greater inclusion and equal opportunities across the industry. Her efforts help create a more supportive environment for future generations of maritime professionals.
Amreen has also played an important role in the growth of Sagar Mein Samman (SMS), a movement focused on diversity, inclusion, and recognition for women in maritime. Among her notable contributions was the conceptualization and creation of the SMS logo, which became the visual identity of the initiative and a symbol of empowerment, respect, and progress.
Amreen Bano's story is about far more than being the first. It is a story of transforming rejection into resilience, resilience into achievement, and achievement into opportunity for others. Her journey serves as a powerful reminder that meaningful progress is driven by individuals who challenge conventions, create opportunities, open new pathways and inspire lasting change across the maritime industry. She turned rejection into resilience, resilience into achievement, and achievement into opportunity for countless women in maritime, every opportunity created for one woman helps open the way for many more.
MS. APARAJITA RAY
First Female Surveyor for the American Bureau of Shipping in India
Ms. Aparajita Ray is a second-generation seafarer who followed her father’s footsteps into the maritime profession. With over 18 years of experience at sea and ashore, her career brings together hands-on engineering, vessel operations, classification and fleet compliance.
She broke new ground as the first female surveyor for the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) in India. Earlier, she became the first woman to join the technical team aboard Royal Caribbean’s Enchantment of the Seas, introducing her colleagues to working alongside a woman engineer.
Her experience in engine rooms and shore-based leadership has shaped her belief that competence, sound judgment and teamwork are essential to maritime safety. She highlights resilience, situational awareness and psychological endurance as qualities that help professionals manage demanding situations at sea.
Aparajita advocates for greater inclusion through recruitment, mentoring and support for women seafarers. She encourages open conversations about women’s health onboard, helping challenge misconceptions and build understanding among colleagues.
Acknowledging the support of mentors, peers and juniors throughout her journey, she views allyship as vital to creating a more welcoming profession. Her message to aspiring maritime professionals is to develop their expertise, support one another and speak up for what is right—even when standing alone.
Her journey demonstrates how technical leadership and everyday acts of inclusion can open doors for the next generation of women in maritime.
