NEW DELHI : Shyam Jagannathan, an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) Officer of the Assam Meghalaya cadre has been named the new Director General of Shipping, the nation’s maritime administration, the Department of Personnel and Training, according to a recent release.

Jagannathan is currently the Development Commissioner, Santa Cruz Exclusive Export Processing Zone, Special Economic Zone, Mumbai, attached to the Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Jagannathan succeeds Rajiv Jalota, Chairman, Mumbai Port Authority, who has been officiating as the D G Shipping after the previous incumbent demitted office in February.

Jagannathan is on Central deputation (typically for five years) from 31 May 2021 and will have a three-year tenure as D G Shipping. The new head of India’s maritime administration will be closely involved in navigating the government’s plan to rewrite the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958 as well as play a crucial role in taking up India’s interests at the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) on matters such as reducing shipping emissions to deal with climate change goals.