Shashi Kiran Shetty


Shashi Kiran Shetty is the founder and chairman of Allcargo Logistics, part of the AVVASHYA Group.
Shetty started his career in the logistics industry in 1978 with Intermodal Transport and Trading Systems Private Limited, and subsequently moved to Forbes Gokak, a Tata Group company.
Shetty was appointed a Commander of the Order of Leopold II by King Philippe of Belgium in 2015.

Career

Shetty has a bachelor's degree in commerce from Shri Venkatramana Swamy College, Bantwal, Dakshina Kannada district, 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 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.
In 2016, Allcargo Logistics also expanded into Contract Logistics with Avvashya CCI and offers customized end-to-end solutions for auto, pharma, chemical, e-commerce and spare part logistics.
Considering demand for warehousing and government policy changes, Allcargo Logistics monetized existing land banks and forayed into logistics and industrial parks to provide Grade A warehousing under Allcargo Logistics Industrial Parks Private Limited in 2018.
Allcargo Logistics acquired controlling stake in Hyderabad-based Gati Ltd. and he has now been appointed as the Chairman at Gati.
Today, the group is a US$1.2 billion organization, and one of India's leading business conglomerate.

Social responsibility

Through Avashya Foundation, Shetty endeavours to play a significant ro people-centric inclusive development. Some of the key areas of initiatives are in health care, education, women empowerment and environmental sustainability. Shetty is also associated with a Maitree initiative by Allcargo.
As part of its commitment to the logistics industry and society, Avashya Foundation and Allcargo Logistics run a Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Kendra in coordination with JNPT and CIDCO which trains local youth in various aspects of logistics. It gives underprivileged youth an opportunity to better their employability and standard of living and helps create a talent-pool of skilled individuals for the logistics industry. This Centre has received a 5-star rating from the National Skill Development Council.
During the current COVID-19 pandemic, Mr. Shetty has, in his personal capacity and through the Avashya Foundation, supported a number of social welfare initiatives that include food and grocery kits distribution, PPE for healthcare workers, monetary contributions, etc.

Personal life

Shetty is married to Mrs. Arathi Shetty, who is also one of directors of Allcargo Logistics. She also spearheads Allcargo’s CSR arm, Avashya Foundation.
His son Vaishnav, who graduated from Emory University in the USA, now heads Allcargo and ECU Worldwide’s digital initiatives. His daughter Shloka, who is currently studying in Northwestern University in Chicago, will graduate in 2021. Mr. Shetty’s brother-in-law Mr. Adarsh Hegde is the Jt. Managing Director at Allcargo Logistics.
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.
Allcargo has been a principal sponsor of ‘Golf Junta’ by Isha Foundation. And Mr. Shetty has had the privilege to play alongside Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev for three years.

Awards and recognition

Over the years, Shetty has received several awards and recognition, including:
2020 - Bunts Star IBCCI Achievers Awards 2020 in the ‘Business’ category
2019 - Global Visionary at the Economic Times Family Business Awards on 23rd January 2019.
2019 - Special Felicitation for Allcargo Logistics for completing successful 25 years in the industry – at India Maritime Awards by DST
2019 - Global Logistics Personality of the Year at MALA 2019.
2019 - Special accolade to honour the remarkable achievement of completing 25 glorious years in the logistics industry at MALA 2019.
2018 - Past President Award for exemplary contribution in the shipping and logistics industry by Maritime Association of Nationwide Shipping Agencies
2017 - Visionary Leadership & Exemplary Contribution to Business award at the Leadership Excellence Awards, 2017
2016 - Businessman of the Year at India Seatrade Awards
2016 - Indian Maritime Businessman of the Year at Gateway Awards 2016
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
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