Dr. Kesavadev Varikkattu Karottu boasts nearly two decades of professional expertise spanning industrial, academic, and research realms. He obtained his B.Tech. degree in Naval Architecture and Ship Building from Cochin University of Science and Technology in 1998 and commenced his career as a Management Trainee at M/s. Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited, gradually rising to the roles of Senior Engineer and Assistant Manager. In 2005, he pursued advanced studies in Japan, supported by a prestigious Japanese Government Scholarship, culminating in both a master’s and a PhD from Hiroshima University. Following his academic pursuits, he spent five years in the Japanese shipbuilding industry as a design engineer and researcher with M/s. Tsuneish Shipbuilding Company Limited. Dr. Kesavadev joined the Indian Maritime University in 2015 as an Associate Professor, later being promoted to the position of Professor in 2021. Since 2022, he has been serving as the Director of the Indian Maritime University, Visakhapatnam Campus. With a number of technical publications to his name, Dr. Kesavadev is actively engaged as member in various statutory bodies of Indian Maritime University and different committees constituted by both Central and State governments.

A science Graduate & Chartered Accountant, Advanced diploma in commercial data handling with more than 35 years of experience in finance and accounts. Currently working as CFO of Indian Register of Shipping since 2012 and holding directorship post in 3 associate companies of IRS. Previously worked as CFO in Shreyas Shipping & Logistics Ltd for 12 years, & as GM in Chowgule Steamships Ltd for 14 years.

Shri Bhushan Kumar serves as Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and waterways, Government of India. He is responsible for Ministry’s flagship scheme ‘Sagarmala’ and public private partnership (PPP) projects in all major ports. Prior to this role, he was Vice President (Projects & Contracts) in GSPC LNG Limited.

He is a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering. He holds Masters in Business Administration (MBA) from IIT, Delhi. He also holds professional certification in Marine Engineering. Additionally, he has attended professional programs on Project Management and Contracts Management in IIM Ahmedabad.

Gautam Chatterjee is a retired officer of the Indian Administrative Service of the Maharashtra Cadre. A Gold Medalist in M.Sc. Mathematics from Patna University, Mr. Chatterjee also holds a post graduate diploma in Urban Planning and Housing from the Institute of Housing Studies, Rotterdams, The Netherlands.

In his illustrious career spanning over 33 years, Mr. Chatterjee has held several important assignments both in the Government of Maharashtra and Government of India, notable among them beingCollector of Ratnagiri,Additional Municipal Commissioner of Mumbai Municipal Corporation, Joint Director General of Foreign Trade in the Ministry of Commerce,CEO of Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority, CEO of Slum Rehabilitation Authority, OSD of Dharavi Redevelopment Project, Principal Secretary of Maharashtra Housing Department, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Defence, Director General of Shipping in the Ministry of Shipping and Additional Chief Secretary, Transport and Ports Department of Government of Maharashtra.

After his superannuation, he served as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to the Chief Minister of Maharashtra before taking over as Chairperson of the Maharashtra Real Estate Regulatory Authority (MahaRERA).