From Pink City to Blue Oceans: My Maritime Journey

Journey of my dreams in maritime industry- High Seas and Beyond

Growing up in Jaipur, famously known as the Pink City of India, my early years were painted with simple joys—school, friends, and family. Like many of my peers, I was focused on cracking engineering college entrance exams. While rigorously preparing for the IIT entrance, a spur-of-the-moment application to the Merchant Navy entrance set me on a completely unexpected path. Before I knew it, with my family’s encouragement, I was packing my bags for the Marine Engineering & Research Institute (MERI, formerly DMET).

Setting Sail: Navigating College Life and Breaking Stereotypes

My college years were unlike anything I’d anticipated. MERI operated as a paramilitary institute, immersing us in a lifestyle of strict discipline—scheduled assemblies and fall-ins, morning and evening physical drills, communal meals, nightly bed checks, and the ever-present uniform. With just three women among more than four hundred male students, the environment was challenging yet transformative. Those four years shaped my resilience, sharpened my skills, and forged lifelong connections with peers, seniors, professors, and instructors. The experience laid a strong foundation for my maritime journey ahead.

First Voyage and beyond: An Adventure Across Continents

In my final year, Chevron recruited me through a campus interview in 2002. My initiation into the world of shipping was nothing short of extraordinary—my first-ever flight, a helicopter transfer to a vessel in South Africa, and voyages spanning five continents. I found myself conducting cargo operations and exploring beautiful destinations like France, Portugal, Chile, Brazil, St. Eustatius, and the USA. 

I thoroughly enjoyed my time during sailing. Each sailing was a classroom, offering lessons in global trade, teamwork, and adaptability as I worked alongside multicultural crews. Sailing on tankers for several years, I gained invaluable insights into the maritime industry and learned to embrace the unknown.

Ashore and Afloat: Balancing Career and Family

Motherhood brought a new chapter. After my daughter was born, I took a break from sailing and relocated to Singapore in 2008. A year later, I joined a ship management company as an HSEQA Superintendent, focusing on audits, incident investigations, document control, environmental compliance, and training. This role deepened my expertise in safety and operational procedures while allowing me to balance my family commitments and continue contributing to maritime safety initiatives.

New Horizons: Learning, Leading, and Mentoring

In 2016, I returned to Chevron in Singapore, this time as a Learning & Development Officer. My role revolved around supporting Indian fleet officers, cadet recruitment, and mentoring young professionals. In 2020, I transitioned into Voyage Operations, overseeing vessel logistics and operations. Since 2021, I’ve been working in Marine Assurance as a Marine Vetting Specialist, ensuring compliance and operational excellence. These roles have given me a 360-degree view of the shipping industry, from training seafarers to upholding the highest operational standards.

Challenges and Triumphs: Navigating a Male-Dominated Industry

Being a woman in a male-dominated sector presented its own set of hurdles. Often, I was the only woman onboard a ship or the meeting rooms, which meant I had to consistently prove my proficiency to gain equal recognition. There were moments of exclusion from informal/ formal discussions and the need to adapt to facilities and safety gear not designed for women. Yet, these experiences only strengthened my resolve. They inspired me to advocate for gender inclusivity and to mentor other women who were just setting out on their own maritime journeys.

Reflections: Lessons Learned and Words for Future Mariners

Looking back, my career has been a series of transitions—each demanding adaptability, a thirst for learning, and a willingness to embrace change. The shipping industry is vast and ever evolving, requiring continual education on new regulations, routes, and professional relationships. These changes have taught me the importance of resilience and staying up-to-date with industry advancements.

If I were to offer advice to those aspiring to join the maritime world, I would stress the significance of adaptability, curiosity, and resilience. Balancing professional aspirations with personal life is crucial—my family remains my anchor. Embrace new challenges, build connections, stay inquisitive, find your purpose, and always champion inclusion.

My journey has been nothing short of amazing—a voyage of learning, growth, and empowerment. I hope my story inspires future generations, especially women, to chart their own course in the maritime industry and beyond.