A Landmark Moment for the Maritime World & Synergy– Congratulations Maneesh Pradhan Sir

A blog by Prateek Khanna (Founder: DMET Club)

Some moments feel larger than life—not because of the title or the role—but because of the person who steps into it.

Today, as Maneesh Pradhan Sir takes on the global mantle of Marine HR leadership at Synergy Marine Group, I cannot help but feel that this is not just a personal milestone, but a transformative one for the maritime industry as a whole.

Ever since Sir began his journey with Synergy, I’ve been among his more critical well-wishers—perhaps even an uncomfortable one at times. I’ve openly shared stories of unfair treatment experienced by batchmates, seniors, juniors—voices that are often lost in the wind of large corporations. But Sir always listened. Not defensively, but with genuine concern. And that’s rare.

Because for many, shipping is a business. For me, it’s a community. And for Maneesh Sir, it always has been about people.

I’ve known him for 18 years. Some of his colleagues have known him for 35+. And anyone who knows him closely will tell you—his decisions are led by the heart and grounded in wisdom. He belongs to that rare 0.1% of DMETians who took the road less traveled—venturing into Marine HR not for power, but for purpose.

Two years ago, when I started working more closely with him, it wasn’t because I thought I could help him—it was because my dear friend and his batchmate, Piyush Nigam, once said, “Maneesh would be a great mentor for you, because he understands the balance between compassion and execution.”

That proved to be true, time and again.

Under the visionary leadership of Captain Unni, Synergy has grown into a powerhouse—30,000+ seafarers, 700+ vessels, and a culture of resilience and reinvention. But even the greatest institutions need anchors who never let them drift away from their values.

Maneesh Sir is that anchor.

This appointment isn’t just another corporate move—it’s a bold statement. That wellbeing, dignity, continuous learning, and respect for seafarers will no longer be secondary metrics. They will define how we shape the next era of maritime excellence.

As he rightly said in his own words:

“Seafarers are at the heart of Synergy; they are what make this organisation successful… For me, it will always be Seafarers FIRST!”

That sentence isn’t a tagline. It’s who he is.

And that’s why today is historic—not just for Synergy, but for all of us who dream of a maritime world that leads with empathy, equity, and empowerment.

Congratulations, Pradhan Sir. Thank you for choosing the hard path. Thank you for listening, even when we spoke from pain. Thank you for reminding us that leadership can be both strong and soft at once.

The industry is lucky to have you. We are lucky to have you.

With deep respect and heartfelt joy,
Prateek