- UNIDO and the Bahrain Chamber jointly honor Dr. SV Anchan
- Recognized for global maritime leadership and performance
- Only Indian-American on the American Club’s Board of Directors
- Over three decades of international maritime experience
- Founder of Safesea Group, serving major UN and US agencies
A prominent Indian-American maritime executive has been jointly honored by a United Nations agency and Bahrain's leading industry chamber for his exceptional leadership and contributions to the global maritime sector.
Chairman of maritime company Safesea Group, Dr SV Anchan, was honored with the ACE Global Bridges 2026 Global Maritime Personality for Performance & Leadership Award by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), along with the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Washington-based ACE Health Foundation.
The award was presented at a special event hosted by the Bahrain Chamber on Sunday (8).
In remarks at the ceremony, Anchan said he was honored to stand alongside leaders “strengthening connections, deepening partnerships, and building meaningful collaboration together. Events like this inspire all of us, as business leaders, to contribute more, work harder, and raise our respective flags even higher across our industries.”
He vowed to continue working “relentlessly to transform these opportunities into tangible, real outcomes, day by day.”
At the event, Anchan recalled his previous visits to Bahrain dating back to 2001, and the active role he played in the United Nations Oil-for-Food Programme, initiated in the aftermath of the Iraq-Kuwait war. “I had the privilege of supervising the first vessel, and thereafter that sailed under this program in this region, making my professional association with Bahrain both meaningful and historic,” he said.
Anchan stressed that Bahrain serves as a critical link between the US 5th Fleet and the commercial shipping industry to ensure the safety and security of vessels in the region, including the Gulf of Aden.
He noted that Bahrain naturally emerges as a global partner, particularly in the maritime sector, due to its strong maritime foundation and strategic geographic location, emphasizing that the kingdom’s potential in this segment is unlimited.
“And I say this not merely because I come from a third-generation maritime family, but because history clearly shows that no nation has achieved lasting economic success without maritime strength as a core pillar. In contrast, countries that have ignored maritime development have seen their global economic standing shrink over time. That speaks volumes about Bahrain’s vision and history,” he said.
In a unique and historic achievement last year, Anchan was appointed to the Board of Directors of the prestigious American Steamship Owners Mutual Protection and Indemnity Association, Inc. (the American Club). Notably, Anchan is the only Indian-American executive to serve on the 20-member Board of Directors of the American Club.
The American Club is the only mutual Protection and Indemnity Club domiciled in the Americas. Established in New York in 1917, it is a member of the International Group of P&I Clubs, a collective of 12 mutuals that together provide Protection and Indemnity insurance for approximately 90 percent of the world’s shipping.
In May last year, Anchan was formally nominated by Chairman Robert Bondurant for election to the Board of Directors of the American P&I Club. At the Club’s 108th Annual Meeting in June in New York, Anchan was elected for a 12-month term, along with other directors nominated for election and reelection.
A statement by Safesea posted on LinkedIn described Anchan’s appointment as a “milestone that reflects both tradition and forward-looking leadership.”
“This prestigious appointment recognizes Dr. Anchan’s longstanding commitment to the maritime industry, his deep expertise, and the trust and respect he has earned globally. It marks a natural progression in a career defined by leadership, integrity, and dedicated service to the global maritime community,” the Safesea Group said.
“It is a privilege to be associated with institutions that play a critical role in ensuring safety, stability, and continuity in international shipping—responsibilities akin to those of a statutory body,” the group added.
A third-generation shipping and logistics leader, Anchan has more than three decades of experience across diverse maritime verticals. He was the first recipient of the Shipping Pravasi Award, India’s highest shipping honor, and received the National Maritime Award for Eminent Overseas Maritime Personality from the Government of India in 2016.
Anchan was also named among the Top 10 Inspiring Leaders of 2022 by the Global Brand Research & Consulting firm Helin for his leadership.
According to information on its website, Safesea is among the few shipping groups that cater to the shipping and logistics requirements of the United Nations Peacekeeping Forces, the World Food Programme (WFP), and the US government’s General Services Administration.
Founded by Anchan in 2006, Safesea began its shipping and logistics operations in New Jersey and has grown into a leader in ship owning and operations (oil, chemical, and dry bulk), ship management, agency services, freight forwarding, warehousing, and related services.
