We recently had the privilege of interviewing Capt. Pappu Sastry, CEO of Adhira Shipping and Logistics. Capt. Sastry’s innovative solutions to traditional shipping issues have earned him recognition in several sectors and led him to become the only CCEO in Shipping, a certification awarded after extensive involvement with the CEO Institute in Australia.
Capt. Sastry sits on the board of several publicly listed entities and serves on the advisory boards of mining companies and private equity funds. He is also an ardent speaker at various shipping and non-shipping conferences, addressing topics ranging from commodities and trade to Africa and critical minerals. In this insightful interview, he shares his career path, visions for the company, innovative ideas for the industry, and valuable suggestions for aspiring professionals in his field.
The Beginning
We started the interview by asking, “How did you get started, and what led you to where you are today?”
Capt. Pappu Sastry shared, “I did my schooling in Chennai, and after that, I had to choose between engineering and doing something completely different. I had a friend’s father who was the Chief Engineer on a ship, and I was very amazed by what he was doing. I got into Electronics Engineering in Chennai, but I still wanted to do something else. Somehow, I managed to get an interview with a shipping company, and then I went on board ships as a cadet and worked my way up to become a Captain. I became one of the youngest Captains in 2001. I was only 27, and I started thinking about what to do next since I wanted to do something different from other Captains. I wanted to try and do something beyond just being a Captain all my life.At the age of 30, I received a call to join a company called Fleet Management, where I was working as a Captain. I joined their Bombay office for three months, and then I went to Hong Kong and worked with them for two years in their Hong Kong office, where I was exposed to the commercial side of the industry.”
He added, “Eventually, I joined another company called NEPA Shipping in Hong Kong, where I joined as Operations Manager and contributed a lot of ideas. They were a Dutch company with German management, and at that time, the market was growing, so they allowed me to experiment. With $50,000 in equity, I started NEPA Projects and Investments in 2006, which eventually transformed the company into a $300 million enterprise. When I returned the $50,000 within the first month, I still retained the partnership with NEPA. After running the company for nearly a decade, it started facing losses, which led us to disinvest and exit the business,.At the age of 42, I pursued a full-time MBA at the University of Manchester to better understand what I had been doing, and then I transitioned to corporate life with Asian Bulk Logistics in Indonesia. Initially a relatively small company with a captive business, I used my MBA knowledge to grow the business, and within five years, we became the second-largest transshipment company in the world.I wanted to expand in Africa since it holds great potential. I also wanted to be based out of Dubai which is the focal point for Africa business, so I co-founded Adhira Shipping and Logistics (ASL) – previously with a partner as Arise Shipping and Logistics but since been taken over fully by myself. ASL focuses on mining commodities in Africa, and we will soon be listing the company in London.”
Staying Ahead Of The Curve
We were interested to learn how Capt. Sastry ensures that his business remains ahead amidst the tough competition. So, we asked, “How do you stay ahead of the industry trends and ensure that your company remains innovative?”
“Most companies don’t define their purpose. The purpose of a company should not be just to make money for themselves; there should be a reason for their existence, and they should be able to define that. We create a purpose statement, make a commitment, and specify what we’re going to focus on. We have innovated our business model to the extent that we are carving out a niche and also hiring people from different backgrounds, apart from shipping and logistics. They bring fresh ideas and can contribute, in management roles and in junior positions. We surround ourselves with people who will have a different way of thinking and can contribute significantly to the company’s well-being,” he reflected.
Learning From Failures
We further asked, “What are some of the core values that guided your leadership style?”
Capt. Pappu Sastry shared, “Learn from your mistakes, and you have to let other people have the pleasure of learning from their own mistakes as well. I believe that guidance at every step is not necessary, as people should learn by themselves. Each individual is different, and you can’t treat everyone the same way. Similarly, a single lesson will not be good relatable for everyone.The main thing I have learned is not to run away from failures. If corrections are needed, they should be for the good of the company and not for personal profit. Moreover, I like to keep my personal and professional life separate, and I think this has helped me build better connections.”
Triumphs At Capt. Sastry’s Career
To learn more about the achievements of Capt. Sastry over these years, “Can you share some milestones and key achievements in your career span?”
Capt. Pappu Sastry responded, “Balancing personal and professional life is very important. I think my greatest achievement is time management, as I manage family time and business by prioritizing where I should be rather than working all the time. Time management is something I emphasize a lot within the office. Most of the time, people believe that CEOs don’t actually do much, but in reality, CEOs excel at managing their time and focusing on important things through multitasking.Regarding milestones in my career, I would like to mention the time when I started my company and achieved huge success with NEPA Projects in Hong Kong. Though I faced many challenges, I made sure to be in the right place at the right time by exiting and entering markets strategically. The experience and the cultural differentiation I experienced in Indonesia has also taught me a lot about what to expect from others. When I started ASL in 2022, I received the IBJ Award for Entrepreneur of the Year. Back in 2015, I was listed among the World’s Top 50 Leaders in Shipping for the Next Generation, along with other recognitions. ASL has also won the International Bulk Journal award for “Bulk Logistics Excellence” in 2023 and 2024.”
Plans We Asked Capt. Pappu Sastry
Eager to learn Capt. Sastry’s plans for the growth of his company in the upcoming days, we asked, “Can you share your short-term and long-term plans for ASL’s growth?”
Capt. Pappu Sastry shared, “For ASL, we made an announcement that we’re going to be listed in the UK by the first or second quarter of 2025. We have completed our initial rounds, and the pre-IPO funding is already in place. We aim to raise $100 million in the coming rounds of funding. We also have some exciting projects in Africa and outside Africa related to mining, which we want to attract and grow in the logistics and mining market as a strong player. The listing however may be delayed to the 2nd half of 2025 with several potential projects getting delayed in 2024.We are also working towards becoming a logistics company that can not only manage logistics but also take over mining operations and earn royalties from the mines while running them. In the short term, we plan to expand the number of people and projects, focusing on critical minerals, mostly lithium and copper. Hopefully, by the end of 2026, we aim to be one of the largest lithium logistics players in the world.”
Words Of Wisdom For Beginners
Addressing the beginners in his field, we inquired, “What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs or leaders looking to make an impact in your industry?”
Capt. Pappu Sastry shared, “I think advice is overrated, and I try not to give it unless people come to me for it. Many people think they need a mentor or guide in their journey to discover their potential, but I believe you should explore it yourself and not rely on someone else to tell you what to do. If aspiring professionals want to be successful in the long run, they should have the pleasure of making their own mistakes and finding their way through them. You influence people with your actions and handling of situations more than with your words.I personally don’t believe in micromanaging. If I assign you a job, I don’t need to know how the work is done; I just want the result. How much effort you put into it depends on you and how you can handle it. For entrepreneurs, you should strive to differentiate yourself and determine if there is a need and purpose for your company in the market. If there is a purpose, then focus on it, and when you become successful, remember to stay humble and keep your feet on the ground.”
Follow Capt. Pappu Sastry on LinkedIn.
Find Adhira Shipping and Logistics on LinkedIn and visit their website https://www.adhiraship.comAlso Read :-Unleashing Potential And Shaping Minds With The African-born Ceo And Principal At Gems Cambridge International School, Abu Dhabi: Hazel GovenderTransforming Business Setup In The GCC Region With PG CSP Group: Pavel Gerasimov
