Capt Ritesh Chawla

Senior Manager Marine Safety and Vetting
Rio Tinto

Captain Ritesh Chawla heads the Marine Safety and Vetting team at Rio Tinto Marine.

In his role, Ritesh has accountability for Rio Tinto’s marine safety and crew welfare strategy, as part of efforts to deliver the goal of a fatality and injury-free portfolio across its 230 chartered and 17 owned vessels.

With over 25 years of experience in the shipping industry both at sea and ashore, Ritesh brings with him a strong track record in delivering Safety, Operational and Environmental leadership. Starting his career as a young cadet working his way up to Captain, he sailed over 14 years on tankers before transitioning to management roles in 2011.

Ritesh was recognized for the success in creating the ship vetting process and establishing the Vetting team at Rio Tinto in 2019, which has been delivering continuous improvement in safety and operational standards of vessels being chartered by Rio Tinto.

Ritesh is passionate about safety at sea and welfare of seafarers and believes that as one of the largest dry bulk charterers in the world, Rio Tinto has an important role to play.

In his personal time Ritesh loves to spend time in the outdoors with his family and friends either hiking, kayaking or indulging in a good barbeque.