“We live in a world that is driven by the need to address environmental problems and promote long-term viability, and I strongly believe we should highlight the need of integrating eco-friendly solutions into corporate operations,” expresses Capt Ankush Gupta, Chief Operating Officer, The Great Eastern Shipping Co Ltd (GESCO), Mumbai.
Aside from his position as GESCO’s COO, where he is heavily involved in incorporating new technology into GESCO’s operations, he has a personal interest in the latest electrical gadgets and technological advancements.
An avid reader about shipping in terms of novels and movies, he prefers biopics, murder mysteries, and thrillers. Ankush enjoys cycling when he has the time, and listens to music of various genres. He also enjoys watching sports, particularly cricket, lawn tennis, and football.
Spending time with his family and a few close friends is also an important part of his daily life, since it grounds him and fosters compassion, which he brings in abundance to work.
In an exclusive conversation with Ms Delphine Estibeiro from Marex Media, Ankush shares his thoughts on GESCO’s culture, gender equality initiatives, et al.
GESCO is India’s largest private sector shipping company; could you tell us about the most essential features of the company’s culture?
GESCO takes pride in its culture of excellence and integrity, which prioritises safety, environmental preservation, energy efficiency, and quality operations. This culture has a 75-year history in the marine sector, a tribute to our founders’ vision, who, despite all odds, tapped into an unexplored market and succeeded.
Our approach is based on honesty and commitment, with a focus on the safety of our employees, cargo, the environment, and operational integrity. This mind-set not only drives our operational excellence, but it also recognises the rich history and wisdom passed down through centuries. Our promoters’ involvement and understanding have helped to create a workplace that emphasises teamwork, safety, ethics, and mutual respect, resulting in a productive and harmonious atmosphere. These principles drive our business forward and ensure that we continue to have a positive impact on the industry in which we operate.
How does GESCO aim to be a leader in environmental initiatives?
At GESCO, we are dedicated to leading the maritime industry in environmental stewardship. To considerably minimise our GHG emissions, we have used a variety of energy-saving gadgets, propeller modifications, and innovative eco-friendly high performance hull coatings. We are also stepping up our efforts to monitor and reduce emissions through partnerships with some innovative platforms, which will improve our ability to assess and manage our environmental impact accurately.
In 2013, we retrofitted our first energy-saving device. In 2018, we established an Environment Initiatives working group to conduct research on decarbonisation options. In 2022, we conducted India’s first biofuel testing on an MR tanker in international seas, utilising biofuel Blended VLFSO (B20) (produced from UCO).
In our pursuit of decarbonisation and addressing the hurdles given by new environmental legislation, we continue to investigate wind-assisted propulsion systems, solar panels, air lubrication, and other technologies.
Our extensive research also includes alternative fuels such as ammonia, hydrogen, and methanol, focusing on their characteristics, storage requirements, and engine compatibility.
Our efforts to decarbonise are critical as we examine the environmental, operational, and economic consequences of implementing decarbonisation solutions in our fleet, ensuring that GESCO continues at the forefront of the maritime industry’s environmental change.
On gender equality, what steps should be taken to boost the representation of women in all areas of shipping, both shore and sea?
There are numerous initiatives that can be implemented to improve representation. However, I’ll focus on what we’ve been doing as a firm to help with representation.
At GESCO, we are committed to improving gender equality in all aspects of shipping, onshore and at sea. Recognising the historical underrepresentation of women in maritime jobs, we are dedicated to making considerable progress towards a more inclusive industry. Our strategy includes a strong focus on boosting the number of women in maritime roles, beginning with activities at the Great Eastern Institute of Maritime Studies (GEIMS). We are making concerted efforts to increase the admittance rate of female trainees, with the goal of allowing more women to enter the sector. This approach is critical not only for GESCO’s diversification, but also for the overall maritime industry. By increasing women’s representation, we are addressing the core cause of gender imbalance and setting a norm that we hope will inspire similar measures throughout the sector.
One of our female GEIMS cadets has been promoted to Chief Officer, demonstrating our commitment to empowering women in the maritime profession. Her advancement through the ranks at GESCO demonstrates not only our commitment to developing internal talent, but also her abilities and the trust we have in promoting women to top roles.
Another example of lateral hiring is the recent appointment of Trainee Cook, who joined our vessel Jag Pankhi last month, a small but crucial milestone.
Our dedication to gender equality extends beyond our maritime roles and includes our onshore businesses as well. Women currently make about 24% of our onshore workforce, a proportion that has grown dramatically over the last 7-8 years. This growth underscores our long-term efforts to build a more inclusive industry that supports and promotes gender equality at all levels.
We are committed to creating a supportive working atmosphere that tackles the special problems that women experience. Our strict adherence to anti-discrimination and anti-harassment standards demonstrates this dedication. We hope to ensure that all employees, regardless of gender, feel safe, appreciated, and respected by creating an environment in which such matters are openly discussed and dealt with quickly.
How do you stay on track to achieve your long-term objectives, both personal and professional?
In managing GESCO’s progress towards its long-term goals, I promote a balanced approach that combines rigorous strategic planning with the flexibility to respond to new facts and situations. Setting specific, quantifiable goals and tracking our progress towards them is a discipline I personally practise. This dual focus allows us to stay true to our objective in the face of the shipping industry’s rapid changes and challenges.
Professionally, I am fully devoted to creating an environment of continual improvement and innovation at GESCO. The shipping industry is continually evolving, influenced by technical advances, regulatory changes, and economic upheavals. Staying current on these advances and implementing cutting-edge technologies and methodologies into our operations is critical to our agility and resilience.
By implementing these practices, we hope to not only reach but exceed our strategic objectives, ensuring that GESCO not only survives but flourishes in the competitive worldwide market. This proactive approach to leadership and management is critical for negotiating the intricacies of today’s shipping sector and guiding our organisation to a prosperous future.
On a personal level, integrating these professional duties with my life outside of work is critical. I find refuge in calmer moments spent with family, which offer a break from the high stakes of business leadership.
How do you believe GESCO will evolve in say two years, and how do you envision yourself driving that change?
Looking ahead, I envision GESCO expanding its international reach, maybe augmenting and modernising our fleet if market conditions are favourable. In the next two years, I anticipate a more thorough integration of technologies into our operations, which is critical for increasing efficiency and achieving operational excellence. In addition, we intend to broaden our offerings and capitalise on rising market trends.
My role is to lead these developments, working with a superb team of specialists to promote growth and ensure that GESCO succeeds at operating an efficient and compliant fleet.
For me, it is critical that we collaborate, adapt, innovate, and improve our operational quality by focusing on sustainability and incorporating eco-friendly practices and technologies.
Beside my role as the COO of GESCO, where I’m deeply involved with integrating new technologies into our operations, I have a personal passion for the latest electronic gadgets and tech innovations.
Besides my love for gadgets, I read extensively about shipping, do a little bit of cycling as and when I find time, enjoy music from various genres. I also like following sports, especially cricket, lawn tennis and football. As far as books and movies are concerned I enjoy Biopics, murder mysteries and thrillers.
I have a few very close friends, I love catching up with them and I ensure I take time out for them.
Spending time with my family is also a cornerstone of my day-to-day life, grounding me and fostering compassion that I bring into my professional environment.
Marex Media