The Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) has unveiled a series of strategic leadership appointments effective 1 April 2026, reinforcing its commitment to strengthening organisational capabilities amid a rapidly evolving global maritime landscape.
Entering the financial year 2026–27, IRS is experiencing sustained growth across both its core and emerging service segments. This expansion comes at a time when the maritime industry is navigating increasing regulatory complexities, accelerated technological transformation, and a strong global push towards sustainability.
In response, IRS has undertaken a leadership realignment aimed at enhancing operational efficiency, strengthening governance frameworks, and enabling greater agility and accountability across its functions.
As part of the reshuffle, Saikat Roychowdhury has been appointed as Chief Operating Officer (COO). In his new role, he will oversee overall operations and, alongside the Management Representative, supervise both internal and external audit functions.
H. V. Ramesh has been named Head – Technical, where he will lead the organisation’s technical functions, supporting innovation, quality assurance, and service delivery.
Meanwhile, Pavan Kumar Varma has been appointed as Management Representative (MR) and Divisional Head – QHSE, taking charge of quality, health, safety, and environmental standards within the organisation.
Commenting on the development, Arun Sharma, Executive Chairman of IRS, said the appointments align with the organisation’s long-term strategic priorities.
He noted that as IRS continues to expand its footprint and capabilities, strengthening leadership is essential to maintaining operational excellence, enhancing governance, and building a future-ready organisation.
The newly appointed leadership team is expected to play a pivotal role in steering IRS through its next phase of growth while delivering increased value to stakeholders across the maritime sector.