The purpose of these appointments is to strengthen operational excellence, enhance governance and build a future-ready organisation. 

 As the Indian Register of Shipping ( IRS  ) enters the 2026–27 financial year, the organisation is witnessing sustained expansion across its core and emerging service areas. This growth comes alongside a rapidly evolving maritime landscape, marked by increasing regulatory complexity, technological transformation, and the global push towards sustainability. This growth coincides with a rapidly evolving maritime landscape characterised by mounting regulatory complexity, technological transformation, and a global shift towards sustainability.

Subsequently, the IRS has initiated a leadership realignment to improve operational efficiency, enhance governance frameworks, and boost agility and accountability.

Mr Saikat Roychowdhury has been appointed as Chief Operating Officer (COO). He will oversee overall operations and, along with the Management Representative, supervise both internal and external audit functions.

Mr H.V. Ramesh has been appointed as Head – Technical and will lead IRS’s technical function, supporting innovation, quality assurance, and service delivery across the organisation.

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.

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Commenting on the development, Arun Sharma, Executive Chairman, IRS, said, “As IRS continues to expand its footprint and capabilities in a rapidly evolving maritime ecosystem, it is essential that our leadership structure remains aligned with our strategic priorities. These appointments reflect our commitment to strengthening operational excellence, enhancing governance, and building a future-ready organisation. We are confident that this leadership team will play a pivotal role in driving IRS’s next phase of growth and value creation for our stakeholders.”

About : The Indian Register of Shipping (IRS)

The Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) is a globally recognised organisation dedicated to advancing maritime safety, environmental stewardship and technical excellence. Since its foundation as a not-for-profit entity in 1975, IRS has become a trusted partner in the maritime industry, delivering a wide range of services including ship classification, certification and technical inspections.

Drawing on five decades of expertise, the IRS is committed to shaping the future of maritime standards and addressing the industry's most pressing challenges. Its holistic approach ensures that it can provide clients with tailored services that meet their diverse needs.

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