PANAJI: As National Maritime Day is being celebrated across India today, ‘Merchant Navy Week’ celebration by Directorate General of Shipping, Mumbai, came to a close with a glittering ceremony at Domestic Cruise Terminus, Mumbai Port Trust today, (5th April). Minister of State for Shipping, Ports and Waterways, Shripad Naik graced the event.
National Maritime Day is dedicated to recall the role of maritime trade in the development of the Indian economy, and the role of India and its strategic location in global trade. “Propelling Indian Maritime to Net Zero” was the theme adopted for this year’s celebration.
National Maritime Day is celebrated on 5th April to commemorate the maiden voyage of the first Indian commercial vessel SS Loyalty that set sail from Bombay (Mumbai) to London, on 5th April 1919. The ship was owned by Scindia Steam Navigation Company Ltd, the biggest large-scale Swadeshi shipping company of that time.
Chief Guest and Union Minister of State for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Shripad Y. Naik congratulated all stakeholders of maritime fraternity on the occasion. He mentioned that gender equality in Indian maritime sector is our prime objective and gave the detailed account of steps taken to increase the participation of women in maritime sector. Now India has 3000 women in active employment in the sector.
He stressed upon the need to foster academic partnerships with leading global maritime Universities and take Training and skill enhancement of Indian maritime institutes to global standards so as to achieve the goals of Maritime Vision 2030. He also apprised the maritime fraternity about various steps taken by the government for the promotion of tonnage under Indian Flag.
Naik further said that at present we have 156 maritime training institutes in the country. Indian maritime response to Covid-19 pandemic was exemplary, he said. On enhancing maritime skills, the minister informed that with collaborating with IITs and leading education institutions in maritime sector will help bring in skilled maritime human resources. Maritime sector is a key industry for achieving Atmanirbhar Bharat, the minister added.
On the occasion, a Coffee Table Book on ‘Dufferin, Rajendra, Chanakya’ was also released. TS Dufferin (1927-72), TS Rajendra (1972-93) and TS Chanakya (1993 – till date) are the Training Ships of the Indian Maritime University, Mumbai. While Dufferin and Rajendra were actual floating ships, TS Chanakya is a shore based training academy in Navi Mumbai offering various training programmes including the much sought after B.Sc (Nautical Sciences) degree.
Director General of Shipping, Amitabh Kumar in his keynote address mentioned that the path towards net-zero target in the maritime sector would require to deliberate upon the overall operational supply chain including ports, future alternate fuels, technological modifications in ships, revamped logistics requirements and proper training and sensitisation of the seafarer in particular and the whole maritime sector in general. He mentioned that the Directorate is the process of implementing online Certificate of Competency examination for Seafarers and establishment of Maritime Knowledge Cluster to drive coordinated and collaborative research in maritime field.
During the programme, following Sagar Samman Awards were conferred:
Sagar Samman Varuna Award: Late Capt Harry Subramaniam (posthumously)
Sagar Samman Award for Gallantry: Capt. Sushil Kumar Singh and crew of vessel “Greatship Ahalya”.
Sagar Samman Award for Best Maritime Training Institute: The Great Eastern Institute of Maritime Studies, Lonawala, Pune.
Sagar Samman Award for Best Indian Ship-owning Company: The Shipping Corporation of India (SCI).
Sagar Samman Award for Best Indian Employer of Seafarers: The Shipping Corporation of India (SCI).
Sagar Samman Award for Best Foreign Employer of Indian Seafarers: MSC Crewing Service Pvt Ltd.
