Yatin Khamkar: Leading With Trust
For Yatin Khamkar, a career in shipping and crewing was not something he planned from the outset. Born and raised in Mumbai, his professional journey began with a simple goal: to find a workplace where he could learn, grow, and build practical skills.
After graduation, Yatin joined Wilhelmsen Ship Management in 1999 in an entry-level crewing role. At the time, he wasn’t sure shipping was an industry he would enjoy, but the pace, complexity, and human dimension of crewing quickly drew him in. What followed was an unexpected but enduring career in crewing — one shaped by people, responsibility, and a deep sense of purpose.
In May 2010, Yatin joined Scorpio Marine Management as a Crew Manager, marking the start of what has now become more than 16 years with the company. His early years were dedicated almost entirely to crew-related activities, where he built a solid grounding in operations and seafarer engagement. Over time, his responsibilities expanded, reflecting both his experience and the trust placed in him. In January 2025, he was promoted to Deputy General Manager of Crewing.
Today, Yatin’s role centres on overseeing crew operations while leading and supporting a young, motivated team. His day-to-day work involves close coordination with crew, managing complex logistical challenges, and ensuring that people, both ashore and at sea, are supported effectively. Despite the operational demands of the role, the human element remains at its core. “The opportunity to engage with so many people every day, navigating challenges that are constantly dynamic and ever-changing, has shaped me profoundly, both as a professional and as an individual,” Yatin shares
To complement his hands-on experience, Yatin has also invested in formal training, completing a Postgraduate Diploma in Crew Management from Lloyd’s Maritime Academy in the UK. This combination of practical exposure and structured learning has helped shape his approach to leadership as grounded in realism, clarity, and accountability.
When reflecting on his time at Scorpio, Yatin points not to a single milestone, but to the accumulation of relationships built over years of service. What stays with him at the end of each day, is the human connection — the seafarers and families whose lives he had the honour to be part of. He notes: “That trust, built patiently over the years, is the most meaningful thing my work has given me.”
One of the defining aspects of Yatin’s career has been Scorpio and the seafarers entrusting him to lead crewing teams despite not having sailed himself – a rarity within the company. For him, this trust has only strengthened his commitment to serving seafarers effectively. Supporting individuals through difficult periods, offering guidance, and being a consistent point of contact during uncertainty are the most rewarding aspects of his journey. Along the way, many professional relationships have evolved into enduring friendships that extend well beyond the workplace and have shaped him into the person he is today.
After more than two and a half decades in crewing, Yatin remains as engaged as ever, focused on people, responsibility, and the quiet, essential work that keeps ships moving and crews supported.
Yatin’s Q&A
What valuable lesson have you learned in your career?
Keep it simple — serve people well, and the work takes care of itself.
What advice would you give to seafarers starting their career?
Own your work and own the outcome!
This article featured in Beacon 31, Scorpio seafarers can access and download all issues of the Beacon from DocMap while onboard.
