In this premiere episode of Legacy Forward, financial journalist Govindraj Ethiraj speaks with Arjun Chowgule, MD of Chowgule Group, a century-old business group that has lived through industrial shifts, family transitions, global competition and now, the green transition.Chowgule’s shipbuilding journey began with barges used to transport iron ore along Goa’s rivers. Today, the business builds hybrid vessels for Scandinavian clients. When Arjun took on the shipbuilding business in 2021, the pandemic had strained cash flows and the family had undergone a restructuring. Arjun discusses acquiring the former Bharati Shipyard facility in Mangalore, bringing the shipyard back into operation, investing in its facilities and delivering its first vessel under the new ownership.Behind this manufacturing story is a more personal question. How do you take an inherited business forward while respecting the people who built it?Arjun reflects on family business succession, the cost of prolonged disputes and why he sees stewardship as a duty to employees, customers and future generations. His experience offers a perspective on Indian manufacturing exports, global competition and the decisions that shape a family-owned enterprise.Chapters 01:10 Inside Chowgule’s Goa shipyard02:50 From mining logistics to shipbuilding07:09 Professional management and generational change08:19 Taking charge and winning hybrid vessel orders11:46 Reviving the Mangalore shipyard12:50 Family businesses and customer trust15:48 Meeting overseas technical requirements17:37 Delivering ships during COVID19:19 A new generation takes the helm20:47 Stewardship, ownership and responsibility23:29 Lessons from family business disputes25:15 Succession and the family’s role in business27:12 Building on the work of earlier generationsLegacy Forward is a series that dives deep into how India’s family businesses actually work, the structures, the legacies, and the tensions that come with passing the torch. Produced by The Core, in association with CII - FBN.Producer: ManjooshaEditor: Mandar Sawant#IndianShipbuilding #Chowgule #FamilyBusiness