Prashant S. Widge

Captain Prashant S. Widge
Head of ESG and Public Affairs, South Asia, A. P. Moller - Maersk

Capt. Prashant has over 23 years of accomplished purpose-led generalised-specialist experience across geographies in the maritime, shipping and logistics industries. He has been one of the youngest officers to command a fully laden gas tanker and stepped ashore over a decade ago.

In a fast-evolving geo-political and macro-economic landscape globally, with increased and changing stakeholder expectations, he aspires to strengthen the business in South Asia, particularly India. Last year, he embarked on leading this strategic priority – conceive a strategy based on the value at stake, define our value proposition, narrative and priorities and build impactful partnerships. Before this, for 7 years, he spearheaded Maersk's flagship sustainability and ESG shared-value global responsible ship recycling programme.

Prashant is energised by strategic leadership roles that link industry to the community and society, elevating organisational efficiency while optimising resources and increasing revenue in an evolving multipolar world order. Prashant is an active contributor and speaker about Energy Transition, Sustainability and ESG and an advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion across the Board to help shape future leaders. He is passionate about nurturing and mentoring leaders on business transformation and talks about his experiences.

Prashant holds a Degree in Nautical Sciences from BITS, Pilani and an Executive MBA in Shipping and Logistics from Copenhagen Business School (CBS). In various capacities, he is closely associated with CII and FICCI, non-governmental trade associations to engage business, political, academic and other leaders of society to shape global, regional, and industry agendas. In 2020, CBS appointed him the first Ambassador in India to strengthen the established links in business and academia between India and Denmark. In 2021, he was the only leader from the maritime industry to feature among the Top 40 under 40 Europe India Leaders.