Despite the recent crises such as the covid pandemic, Ukraine-Russia war or the Red Sea crisis, the port of Singapore still remains as the world’s second busiest container port and has emerged as one of the busiest international maritime centers today. With over 130,000 vessels entering the port each year, Singapore is connected with 600 ports across 120 countries worldwide and handles 1000+ tons of cargo every minute, enabling goods anywhere in the most efficient manner.
As per a recent report, the Singaporean maritime industry which stood at $4.5 billion in 2023 is expected to be worth $6.6 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of five percent during the forecast period. While this has resulted in a surge in demand for efficient management services in the country, successfully running a maritime business especially in such a fast-paced and dynamic environment in no cake-walk and demands vast industry know-how and leadership skills.
One such individual who has garnered widespread prominence in Singapore’s maritime sector through sheer hard work and profound subject matter expertise is Rohit J Pereira (Managing Director, Arcadia Shipping). Having completed his Bachelor’s degree in Nautical Sciences from University of Mumbai and Graduate Diploma in Maritime Law from National University of Singapore, Rohit start his sailing career in 1995 where he spent 15 years familiarizing himself with the various intricacies of maritime operations such as vessel management, maritime safety & operational standards and the practical challenges faced by seafarers.
Later, he moved ashore and served as the Marine Superintendent at Thome Ship Management, followed by Operating Head for Inge Steensland Shipbrokers AS and then Marine Director for Arcadia Shipping.
“Although my time at sea was my formative years in the industry and the bedrock on which I managed to build upon, my on-shore stints at Thome and Inge Steensland provided with the much needed exposure to the commercial aspect of shipping. Also, my PG Diploma in Maritime Law helped me get a better understanding of various maritime legal principles. Adding on to this was my professional experience which helped enabled me to witness first-hand how maritime law principles operate in practice and apply theoretical concepts to real world scenarios. This comprehensive background in maritime law, operations, and commercial negotiations helped me immensely in taking-up the role of Managing Director at Arcadia”, says Rohit.
Value-driven Ship Management Services
Under the aegis of Rohit, Arcadia was grown into a full-scale ship management company offering a wide range of technical and commercial management solutions. Some of the major services that it offers include Crew Management, Technical Management, Marine Management, Dry Docking, New Builds and other special projects. Additionally, the company has a fleet comprising of diverse variety of vessels such as LPG carriers Chemical tankers, VLCCs, Aframax, and MR tankers. Most importantly, the entire organizational structure of Arcadia is built on six core values – Teamwork, Perseverance, Client-centric Solutions, Integrity, Environmental Sustainability and Safety.
“We aim to deliver complete and reliable solutions to our customers by sharing our intention and transparency. Our certified team of professionals adds value to our vessel and offers a grade of quality engineering and product management, which is paramount in the maritime industry. We at Arcadia, recruit, train, develop, and deploy the best seafarers for our vessel and offer our fleet a perfect alliance of crew with impeccable skill sets and expertise. Passionate about exceeding our clients’ expectations, we evaluate every aspect of operation, resolve uncertainties, identify the important areas for improvement, and deliver best-in-class services”, adds Rohit.
At Arcadia Shipping, I strive to foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning, encouraging my team to not only meet the challenges of today, but also anticipate the needs of tomorrow
Unique Approach to Leadership
Over his three decades long career, Rohit has laid prime emphasis on precision, safety and efficiency. As a successful maritime industry leader, Rohit ensures to stay updated with the latest advancements, industry trends and market dynamics, especially pertaining to new regulatory policies and frameworks. He strongly believes this to be a sure-shot way to exceed clients’ expectation and thus propagates the same to his team members as well. Additionally, Rohit views technology as an enabler to improve safety and reduce human error. Thus, he makes sure to have the necessary precautions in place to avoid over-dependence on technology and stresses upon the importance of training and resource management while implementing any new technology. Some of the key principles that he has strictly adhered to and continues to practice even today include adaptability, forward-thinking, strategic mindset, continuous improvement, and most importantly, compliance.
“At Arcadia Shipping, I strive to foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning, encouraging my team to not only meet the challenges of today, but also anticipate the needs of tomorrow. Overall, my experience has taught me that leadership in this industry requires a balanced approach—one that respects tradition but isn’t afraid to push boundaries and explore new possibilities. This philosophy has guided me in steering Arcadia Shipping through the complexities of the modern maritime landscape, ensuring we remain resilient, agile, and forward-focused”, adds Rohit.
Sharing Words of Wisdom
When asked about what his piece of advice to youngsters aspiring to be future maritime industry leaders, Rohit elucidates, “The cornerstone of my successful career so far has been sheer hard word, which I feel cannot be compensated by anything else. Thus, I urge the youngsters to take risks and always think outside the box. Also, one must dream big, have well-defined goals, and consistently work hard towards achieving those goals & objectives”.
Rohit J Pereira, Managing Director, Arcadia Shipping
Capt. Rohit J. Pereira, Managing Director of Arcadia Shipping, has over 25 years of experience in the maritime industry. His expertise spans technical and commercial ship management. Committed to corporate social responsibility, Rohit actively promotes sustainability and community initiatives. Outside work, he's a passionate cyclist and fitness enthusiast.
.jpg "Tadhg Flahive: Fostering Leadership Resilience in the Face of GCC Transformation")
.jpg "Junma Services: Fueling the Future by Driving Decarbonization")
.jpg "Technology in Cancer Care: A story of evolving paradigms")
.jpg "Bringing Shop Floor to Manufacturer's palm: Smart Factory Solutions for tomorrow")
