I am Sunita Pawar, the Head of Admin & Finance at NMT India. Additionally, I oversee reporting for the Middle East region, managing Forecasting and Budgeting.

I initially began my career as an accountant, but over time, I developed a deep interest in the shipping industry. As I learned more, I became particularly fascinated by RORO (Roll-on/Roll-off) cargo. It was a completely new concept for me, and my curiosity drove me to explore and gain my first experience in this specialised sector. Before joining NMT, I worked at a container company, and RORO cargo was completely new to me. I was fascinated by it. When I see the cranes and machines on the road, I proudly say to everyone that my company handled this kind of import. What surprised me the most was the complexity and the precision required in handling such specialised cargo. It was a whole new world, and the level of coordination and logistics involved was truly impressive. Among the few Lucky ones who saw NMT Ships.

In my first two years at NMT, I focused on learning RORO shipping documentation, including B/L drafting, Import Manifests, issuing CAN, and basic freight forwarding. I received invaluable support from Anand, Wendy (from our Dubai office via MSN Messenger), and colleagues from shipping lines while handling documentation for three NMT vessels—Rose, Elise, and Silvia.

After a year, we moved to a larger office in Mumbai and expanded our team, bringing in Abhishek for Sales/ Operations and Mangal for Sales. With Gaurav’s support, we set up and managed the new office. As our business continued to grow, Harshala joined for documentation after two years. Once she took over, I gradually transitioned into a full-time Accounts role. The business expanded further, especially in export shipments post- COVID-19 lockdown, leading to an increase in our workforce. Today, NMT India has a strong team of 24 employees, with representatives in Delhi and Chennai.

The best part of working with the NMT India team is the strong sense of longevity, trust, and teamwork that has driven our growth. We support each other, deeply understand one another, and celebrate milestones together, whether it’s birthdays, festivals, or team outings. We also organise various events to engage and motivate our team. Over the years, we have spent more time with each other than with our own families, making NMT India my second home.

Over the past 20 years, my journey at NMT has been one of continuous growth, both personally and professionally, as the company expanded. Navigating challenges required adaptability and strong problem-solving skills. Abhishek’s support was crucial during this period, especially as we both adjusted to reporting under the new setup.

One of the most rewarding phases was the surge in business after the COVID-19 lockdown. Despite the challenges, our team demonstrated incredible dedication and resilience, successfully handling the increased workload. With the unwavering support from Sandeep & Prasad, there were 3 of us in the accounts team, and we ensured that every project was completed efficiently, even under immense pressure. These experiences have not only shaped my career but also strengthened NMT’s position in the industry, making this journey one of the most exciting and fulfilling aspects of my professional life.