Yudhishthir Khatau
Managing Director, Varun Shipping Company Limited
Mr. Yudhishthir Khatau, the Managing Director of Varun Shipping Company Limited is a Bachelor of Science and Economics from the Wharton Business School, University of Pennsylvania, USA. – Majored in Finance and Marketing. He joined Varun Shipping Co. Ltd. in 1994 and is responsible for the overall management of the company, focusing on the company’s growth and expansion projects.
Mr. Khatau is a Director on the Board of the Indian National Shipowners’ Association. He has been a member of the Tonnage Tax Committee constituted by the Government of India to develop the Tonnage Tax Act that was introduced in India in 2004 which provided a level playing field to the Indian Shipowners in the global market. The introduction of Tonnage Tax gave a boost to the stagnating shipping industry in India which registered an unprecedented growth in tonnage of over 24% in one year. As President INSA for the past 2 years from August 2005 to 2007, Mr. Khatau represented the shipping industry in domestic & international forums including government committees, the IMO, BIMCO, major Indian ports and other industry associations such as the CII etc.
Mr. Khatau is a Director on the Board of Indian Register of Shipping. He is also a Director on the Board of BIMCO and a member of the BIMCO Executive Committee. He has been elected as the Counselor for BIMCO 39, which is a platform for exchange of ideas and networking for young shipping people upto the age of 39. Mr. Khatau’s other appointments are on the National Shipping Board, Bureau Veritas - South Asia India Committee and the American Bureau of Shipping – India National Committee.
On 30th October 2007, Mr. Yudhishthir Khatau has been awarded the “Policy Maker of the Year” at the Grand Dinner and Awards Presentation Ceremony of the India Shipping Summit. This award being independently judged by a panel of business leaders is presented to a Government representative at national or state level, or an individual of influence whose contribution has had a beneficial effect on the Indian maritime policy. On 8th November, 2006, Mr. Yudhishthir Khatau was awarded the prestigious "Personality of the Year" Award at the Lloyd's List Middle East and Indian Subcontinent Awards 2006 Function held in Dubai. This award is bestowed on the person whose performance and business conduct, in the eyes of the judges, has stood head and shoulders above all others in Middle East/Indian Subcontinent maritime circles. The vision of Mr. Khatau has been “to meet the challenges of a new world” which has fuelled and encouraged the Company to navigate globally, shipping energy, delivering value.
Mr. Khatau is married with two children aged 11 and 8. He practices Taikondo, is a keen scuba diver, a fishing enthusiast, loves wild life and photography and takes time off with his family to relax in nature.
March 2008