Capt. Gajanan B. Karanjikar is a distinguished maritime professional, author, and thought leader with more than thirty-five years of global seafaring and managerial experience. A Master Mariner by profession, he has commanded Very Large Crude Carriers and ocean-going bulk carriers worldwide and later served as Marine, Technical, and Commercial Manager for a fleet of 18 vessels based out of Singapore. His professional background spans ship operations, marine surveys, port and terminal management, and international maritime consultancy.
Currently, Capt. Karanjikar serves as President of the All India Maritime Pilots’ Association (AIMPA), leading national reforms in pilotage safety, ladder compliance, and human-factor awareness. Under his leadership, AIMPA has been recognized by the Directorate General of Shipping, India, and international pilotage bodies for its contributions to safe navigation and modern pilot-transfer standards. He is also a Certified Marine Surveyor, Flag Inspector, and Accident Investigator for Panama-flag vessels, as well as a Senior Consultant with FMC International LLC (USA), supporting P&I, H&M, and admiralty cases across U.S. ports, including the Mississippi River.
Capt. Karanjikar has been widely recognized for his contributions to maritime policy, earning the Maritime ICON of India 2024 award from Marex Media for his work in Blue Economy development and pilotage reform. His leadership has also been recognized by the Company of Master Mariners of India (CMMI), which conferred on him the honorary Fellowship (FCMMI) for his lifelong service to navigation and safety.
An accomplished author and academic voice, Capt. Karanjikar is the creator of Blue Bharat – India’s Voyage to a Resilient Ocean Economy, published by Twagaa International Pvt. Ltd. The book—spanning a decade of original research and over a hundred essays—presents a strategic blueprint for India’s ocean governance, sustainable maritime trade, and coastal resilience, aligning with national initiatives such as Sagar Se Samruddhi and the UN SDG-14 agenda. His essays and columns regularly appear in leading maritime publications, including Maritime Reporter and Engineering News, Sailor Today, Sagar Sandesh, and Marex Bulletin, where he writes on maritime safety, logistics, decarbonization, and human- factor leadership.
A frequent keynote speaker at global forums—such as the Global Maritime India Summit 2023 (Government of India), MIT-ADT University’s National Conference on Innovative Global Technology Trends, and the Port of the Future Conference 2026 in Houston—Capt. Karanjikar is also a Global Sustainability Ambassador, G20 consultant to the Indian Ministry of Environment, and a nominee for the IMO Global Ambassador Program. He holds advanced certifications in Business Sustainability Management from the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Ocean Governance with a focus on Marine Spatial Planning and international law under UNCLOS.
Capt. Karanjikar’s distinguished career exemplifies leadership, scholarship, and innovation in maritime governance—bridging the worlds of seamanship, law, and policy. His continued engagement with U.S. and international maritime institutions stands to benefit the global effort toward safer, greener, and more equitable oceans.