National Maritime Varuna Award celebrates decades of service, innovation, and commitment to seafarers as India sails toward a digital and sustainable maritime future
Maritime News, Mumbai, India : In a powerful moment of recognition and maritime pride, Captain Rajesh Unni, Founder of Synergy Marine Group, has been conferred the prestigious National Maritime Varuna Award—India’s highest honour for individual excellence in the maritime sector. The award was presented during the 62nd National Maritime Day celebrations held on April 5 in Mumbai.
The award, conferred by the Directorate General of Shipping, acknowledges Captain Unni’s extraordinary contributions to global maritime leadership, technological innovation, and his unwavering commitment to the welfare of seafarers.
A Journey of Leadership, Purpose, and Human Sustainability
Accepting the award with humility, Captain Unni said:
“This honour reflects not just one person’s work, but the shared commitment of every seafarer, colleague, and mentor who has walked this journey with me.”
Known for blending operational excellence with a human-centric philosophy, Captain Unni has consistently championed human sustainability in shipping—advocating for inclusive leadership, mental health awareness, and a resilient maritime workforce.
“If this award inspires even a few youngsters to consider a life at sea or reminds us of what we can achieve when we work together, then it has served its greatest purpose,” he added.
India at the Helm of Global Maritime Transformation
The honour comes at a pivotal time, as India embarks on an ambitious mission to become a global maritime power. The Government of India is set to complete 150 critical maritime infrastructure projects by September 2025, including:
- India’s first coastal green shipping corridor (Kandla–Tuticorin)
- Expansion of inland water transport on key National Waterways
- A proposed ₹25,000 crore Maritime Development Fund to support shipbuilding and repair
These efforts aim to enhance sustainability, promote indigenous capabilities, and place India firmly on the global map for smart shipping and supply chain leadership.
Synergy Marine: Redefining India’s Maritime Footprint
Under Captain Unni’s leadership, Synergy Marine Group has emerged as a global force in ship management and maritime technology, shifting operational focus to India from legacy hubs like Hong Kong and Glasgow. With centres of excellence in Chennai, Mumbai, Cochin, Pune, and Noida, Synergy has created thousands of high-value jobs, empowering a new generation of maritime professionals.
Jesper Kristensen, Group CEO of Synergy Marine, echoed the company’s commitment to India’s future:
“India is central to the future of global shipping. At Synergy, we remain fully aligned with the nation’s maritime ambitions—particularly in areas such as ship design, digitalisation, decarbonisation, and human sustainability.”
Charting the Future: Technology, People, and Purpose
India’s digital leap—through initiatives like the IndiaAI Mission and Digital India Bhashini—is enabling a seamless fusion of technology and tradition in maritime operations. With a focus on AI, automation, and multilingual access, these efforts perfectly complement the shipping industry’s push toward digitally enabled, sustainable infrastructure.
Captain Unni’s award stands as a symbol of this transformation—one that blends global vision with grassroots impact, and high-tech innovation with human care.
Honouring a Legacy, Inspiring the Future
The National Maritime Varuna Award, presented annually, commemorates India’s proud maritime legacy and the historic voyage of S.S. Loyalty—the first Indian-flagged ship to sail overseas. This year, it honours a leader who embodies the spirit of S.S. Loyalty: bold, visionary, and unwavering in commitment.
As India charts a new course toward Viksit Bharat, leaders like Captain Rajesh Unni are lighting the way—proving that the future of shipping is not just about vessels and voyages, but about vision, values, and people.
