Captain Anuj Chopra is a globally recognized maritime executive, enterprise risk manager, and big data advocate with over three decades of experience forging strategic client relationships in the global maritime industry. Renowned for cultivating ethical, customer-centric cultures that blend emotional intelligence (EQ) and service quality (SQ), he has secured high-value contracts with some of the world’s largest shipping and commodity companies.
As co-founder of ESGPlus LLC, a Texas-based consultancy, Captain Chopra advises maritime supply chain clients on resiliency, efficiency, and independent board governance. Under his leadership, ESGPlus champions sustainability, elevates safety standards, and minimizes the environmental impact of maritime operations. Committed to diversity and transparency, the firm delivers innovative, client-focused solutions for a sustainable and resilient global supply chain. His specialized knowledge on Charterparties, grain trade and storage, integrated pest management, and supply chain optimization further strengthens the ability to deliver resilient and efficient solutions for complex global projects. He enables technology and capacity building in ports in their drive towards decarbonization, efficiency, and long-term resilience including implementing the Maritime single window.
In January 2024, Captain Chopra expanded his vision by founding MaritimESG Middle East Projects Management LLC in Abu Dhabi. This venture extends his expertise globally, focusing on ESG education, sustainable supply chains, global food aid logistics optimization, and enterprise risk management. He recently joined ShipFinex, a VARA regulated pioneering initiative on decentralized fractionalized tokenization of Real-World (Maritime) Assets as their Director, Strategy and Sustainability.
Previously, Captain Chopra served as Vice President - Americas at RightShip for nearly a decade, where he negotiated complex due diligence and compliance agreements, designing and implementing bespoke risk strategies for commercial trade and transactions. Before that, as President of Anglo-Eastern Houston LLC, he oversaw vessel operations at U.S. ports, managed risk evaluations, and strengthened stakeholder and government relations.
Captain Chopra’s career began as a deck cadet, rising through the ranks to command large bulk carriers and tankers. He holds a Commonwealth Extra Masters Certificate of Competency, a Shipping Management qualification from the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad, and an ACUE Certification. He is also the co-author of NI publication on Bridge Watchkeeping (1st Edition), and Zero Point Four: How U.S. Leadership in Maritime Will Secure America’s Future, a thought
leading work on maritime strategy.
A respected industry leader, Captain Chopra serves as a Fellow of The Nautical Institute (UAE Branch Committee Member), Vice President of EMLA – Emirates Maritime Law Association, Ambassador for the Sailors’ Society, Advisory Board Member of the Houston Maritime Center, Fellow - Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers, and Board Member of the Houston International Seafarers Center. He was a Board Member (2014 – 2025) of the North American Marine Environment Protection Association (NAMEPA), member of NOAA’s Hydrographic Services Review Panel Federal Advisory Committee, and a proud member of WISTA. Formerly, he was President of the Industry Advisory Board for the Supply Chain & Logistics Technology Program at the University of Houston and continues as executive committee member and continues to teach as Adjunct Professor at the Cullen College of Engineering. With over 34 years as an educator, he continues to mentor students and professionals in maritime supply chain management. Captain Chopra co-authored NAMEPA’s ESG Maritime Sustainability Passport Program, and leads workshops on ESG fundamentals (ESG101, ESG201, and ESG301) tailored to the maritime sector.
His commitment to education, sustainability, and innovation continues to shape the future of the global maritime industry.
