Ramesh Ramakrishnan: Riding The High Seas
In 2023, global maritime trade grew by 2.4%, which saw a contraction in 2022. However, the recovery has remained slow. The key choke points, such as the Suez and Panama Canals, have become increasingly vulnerable to geopolitical tensions, conflicts and climate change. These disruptions have extended to shipping routes, thereby straining supply chains and raising costs. These have a profound impact on food security, energy supplies and the global economy, since more than 80% of world trade volume is carried by sea. Certain developing countries, especially small underdeveloped island states and the least developed countries, are hit the hardest by rising shipping costs.
The Review of Maritime Transport 2024 not only highlights these challenges, but also calls for urgent action to strengthen industry resilience, accelerate decarbonization and support vulnerable economies. It has pointed out the need for new infrastructure that is sustainable and resilient, a faster transition to low-carbon shipping, and a crackdown on fraudulent ship registrations to safeguard global trade.
Among the top global shipping companies, Transworld Group, based in the UAE, has not only been sailing smoothly for over three decades but also has diversified into several other businesses. Ramesh S. Ramakrishnan, the chairman of the group, has been a resident of the UAE since 1989. Born to the late R. Sivaswamy Iyer and Valli Sivaswamy, he was raised in Quilon (Kollam), Kerala, India. He shifted to Mumbai with his parents after the completion of his schooling. He graduated from Mumbai University while working in his father’s then fledgling business. He later pursued the President Management Programme at Harvard Business School. He has been the chairman of Transworld Group for over three decades.
Ramesh Ramakrishnan expanded Transworld Group from a shipping agency his father established in Mumbai in 1977 to an award-winning, fully integrated logistics and shipping conglomerate. Today, Transworld Group has its footprint across the globe, with operations in all aspects of the supply chain. Its expertise covers a range of solutions from ship owning to project logistics to warehousing.
Transworld Group
Based in Dubai, UAE, Transworld Group is a multinational shipping and logistics company, with business interests in shipping and logistics, aviation, supply chain management, and food processing, among others. Established by Ramakrishnan's father in 1977, the company has offices in the UAE, the US, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Sri Lanka, and India. In 1989, Ramakrishnan took over the reins of the company. He later expanded its operations into shipping, marine and logistics in the Indian subcontinent and thereafter to the Gulf region.
The group provides shipping and multimodal logistics services. Its shipping services comprise containerized, bulk, and tanker cargo transportation. Besides, it has logistics services, including third-party logistics, freight forwarding, cold chain logistics, and warehousing. In 2022, the group set up the liquid bulk segment. During 2021-24, the group provided logistics services in the construction of the BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi. In 2023, it signed an agreement with DP World's Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza) for the construction of a 50,000 sq. mt. dry and temperature-controlled distribution centre in Jafza, which is slated for completion by 2025. In 2024, it signed a Rs 2000-crore memorandum of understanding to establish ship leasing and aircraft leasing activities at GIFT IFSC in India's western State of Gujarat.
Business Diversification
In 2023, Transworld Group diversified into the aviation sector. It began the operations with its luxury private jet charter service, Airavat, in the Middle East, Europe and Asia. In 2024, it entered into a joint venture with former SpiceJet COO Arun Kashyap's Sirius India Airlines to begin operations in India. In 2023, Transworld Group set up World People Solutions in partnership with DP World's World Security for recruitment of workers from India for job opportunities overseas.
Last year, it established its food processing and agri-logistics firm, Transgreen. Also, the group, along with Emirati filmmaker Shihan Shoukath, launched a film production company, Reel World Entertainment, in 2024. Moreover, recently it also developed real estate and infrastructure projects in India and the UAE.
Transworld Group has developed a three-pronged approach to navigate the maritime challenges: it focuses on the workforce, refines its processes, and embraces continuous improvement. It maintains open communication channels, understanding their difficulties and challenges. This approach allows the company to tailor solutions to the specific needs of its workforce. Its top priority is their well-being and empowerment through sustained training, education and support. Moreover, the company collaborates closely with clients, continuously improving solutions to ensure that it effectively addresses their evolving needs.
Transworld Group has developed advanced warehouse management systems. These utilise technology to streamline processes, intelligently place and retrieve cargo and minimise errors. It has been keeping pace with emerging trends and potential opportunities. Also, it has plans to invest in significant projects, such as a food processing unit, with state-of-the-art facilities in Gujarat and a large distribution centre in partnership with Jafza. These projects are expected to create jobs and expand business capabilities.
Transworld Group offices are situated globally, including in the UAE, the US, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Sri Lanka, Hong Kong, Singapore and Pakistan, among others. It has offices in 28 Indian cities also. Thanks to its strong founding principles, trust, quality and customer orientation, the group has been able to expand its footprint globally.
Transworld Group clocked a revenue of $459.9 million last year. The group employs around 850 people in its various facilities. As it crosses the 47th year in the global shipping and logistics business, the group continues to stay sustainable as a leading corporate player.
In 2024, Ramesh Ramakrishnan was honoured with the prestigious The Maritime Standard Hall of Fame Award from the Maritime Standard Awards, the Middle East. He has also received several other awards and recognitions. Along with his wife Geeta and their children, Ritesh and Anisha, he continues to lead Transworld World to greater heights.
(Photo: Courtesy Transworld Group)
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