Empowering women and leading innovation

When Akanksha Batura Pai graduated from the National University of Singapore (NUS), none of her batchmates chose maritime or logistics as a career option. She was an outlier. Years later, Akanksha not only feels vindicated but also looks back with a sense of pride over her decision to join the maritime industry.

She has made a mark in the industry with her commendable achievements and has been ranked number one among Top 100 women in shipping. A tenacious maritime professional with experience in shipping, logistics and transportation, Akanksha is the IMO Goodwill Maritime Ambassador representing Singapore, council member of Singapore Shipping Association (SSA), and Executive Director of Sinoda Shipping Agency, overseeing the company’s strategy and growth.

She is also strategy head for Raks International and TransAsia Marine Services and advisor, Sailor’s Cart Pte Ltd. In these roles, she is committed to digitizing the maritime services industry, building the talent pipeline and developing an inclusive and sustainable strategy for the companies.

She is also a global ambassador of Mission to Seafarers, member of the Mission To Seafarers Singapore Committee and Nautical Institute Singapore Branch Committee, Maritime SheEO Ambassador, and spearheading Women in Logistics Community at Singapore Logistics Association (SLA).

To encourage other SME shipping organizations to embark on the digitalization journey, Akanksha has been featured in Sinapore’s Maritime Port Authority (MPA) and Enterprise Singapore’s Go Digital videos and marketing collaterals to share her experience at Sinoda.

Recipient of an Honorary Professional Doctorate from the European International University, Paris, Anushka’s career saw her go places and prove her mettle in every responsibility that came her way. She has a proven track record of driving efficiency, improving processes, and leading cross-functional teams. She has also been a very passionate industry volunteer and advocate, driving positive change through community engagement.

A strong community builder, connecting professionals and fostering collaboration to drive sustainability, diversity, and innovation, Akanksha is also the liaison officer for the Honorary Consulate-General of the Republic of Malta in Singapore.

Akanksha is a mentor at Pier71 and also for students through Singapore Maritime Foundation (SMF). She is on the NTU Maritime Business Society Board of Advisors, NUS Business School Alumni Association Director on BOD and NUS Campus Couples Alumni Group Chairperson.

She has won various awards from her alma maters and the industry that validate her work.

She is convinced that the industry will be making rapid changes in the next few years in terms of gender equality, digitalisation and decarbonisation. Akanksha strongly advocates that maritime corporates must invest more in women,and ensure equal representation of women at their workplaces and in the boardroom.