Darkocean, a shipping technology solutions company, has appointed Dr. Surya Kumar as Managing Director for its United Arab Emirates operations, effective February 2024.

With over 34 years of industry experience, Surya will lead the company's efforts to deliver innovative and sustainable solutions in the Middle Eastern region. Previously, Surya served as Country Manager at Atlantic Maritime Group and held various roles at Fugro for over 26 years, including Senior Project Manager and Staff Geophysicist. He began his career at Coastal Marine Construction & Engineering Ltd as a Geophysicist. On the academic front, Surya holds a BSc degree in Geology and Earth Sciences from Government Degree College, Anantapur, a MSc degree in Applied Geology and a PhD in Marine Ecology from Sri Venkateswara University. 

In welcoming Surya to the leadership team, the company stated, “We're thrilled to announce Surya Kumar Ippenta as the new Managing Director for our UAE operations. Under his leadership, we aim to accelerate our innovation in autonomous and AI-driven offshore geophysical services, reinforcing our commitment to sustainable and advanced solutions in the Middle East.”

Surya commented, “I am honoured to join Darkocean and excited about the opportunity to contribute to its growth in the Middle East. The region holds immense potential for the advancement of offshore geophysical services, and I look forward to leveraging my experience to drive Darkocean’s success and innovation in the UAE.”