Shashi Kiran Shetty

Career

Shetty has a bachelor's degree in commerce from Shri Venkatramana Swamy College, Mangalore, Karnataka. He moved to Mumbai for employment.

Starting his career in the logistics industry in 1978 with Intermodal Transport and Trading Systems Private Limited, Mumbai, he subsequently moved to Forbes Gokak, a Tata Group company.

With initial savings as seed funding of Rs. 25,000, Shetty at the age of 25 established his first business venture, Trans India Freight Services Pvt. Ltd.

In 1992, Shetty started Allcargo Logistics Ltd., with a vision to be an integrated logistics service provider. Under his stewardship Allcargo was the first company in India to introduce LCL (Less than Container Load) services.

In 1995, Allcargo Logistics became an agent of Belgium-based ECU Line NV, the world's second largest LCL firm. Ten years later, Allcargo took 33.8% stake in ECU Line, now ECU Worldwide, and in the following year acquired the entire company. At the time of the takeover, ECU Line's revenue was five times the acquirer's revenue.

In 2013, Allcargo Logistics acquired US based Econocaribe Consolidators and a controlling stake in Netherlands-based logistics company FCL Marine Rotterdam through its wholly owned arm Ecuhold NV.

Given the spate of acquisitions led by him, he can be easily be acclaimed as one of the most successful entrepreneurs of his time.

Allcargo Logistics rebranded all its international acquisitions as ECU Worldwide on 2 May 2016.

Today, the group is a US$1 billion organization, and one of India's leading business conglomerate.

Social responsibility

Through Avashya Foundation, Shetty endeavours to play a significant role in CSR initiative beyond philanthropy and promote people-centric inclusive development. Some of the key areas of initiatives are in health care, education, women empowerment and environmental sustainability.

Personal life

Shetty is married to Arathi Shetty, who is also one of directors of Allcargo Logistics. He has a son, Vaishnav and daughter, Shloka. He is involved with the construction of ISKCON temple at Kharghar in Navi Mumbai.

In 2014, he bought Aashirwad, a bungalow in Bandra, Mumbai previously belonging to Hindi actor Rajesh Khanna.

Interests

He enjoys collecting artefacts and artworks of upcoming artists.

He is an avid golfer and takes keen interest in tennis, having bought a 30% stake in Singapore Slammers.

Awards and recognition

Over the years, Shetty has received several recognitions, including:

2015 - Distinction of Commander of the Order of Leopold II, the highest civilian honor by His Royal Highness King Philippe, King of the Belgians, making him one of the very few global Indians to receive this honor.

2015 - Lifetime Contribution to Freight at the Global Freight Awards 2015.

2013 - Global Indian Maritime Personality by Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture

2012 - News Maker of the Year from Maritime and Logistics Awards (MALA)

2012 - Outstanding Contribution Award from Port of Antwerp

2011 - Asia's Best Employer Brand for CEO of the year with best HR Orientation

2010 - Entrepreneur of the Year Award in services category from Ernst & Young

2009 - Logistics Company of the Year from NDTV Business Leadership Awards

2008 - Logistics Company of the Year from Maritime Gateway