After two years of meeting online, the industry gathered together to celebrate the 59th National Maritime Day on 05^th Aprilat the Domestic Cruise Terminal, Mumbai.The National Maritime Day Celebration Committee under the aegis of Directorate General Of Shipping, Ministry Of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Government of India celebrated Merchant Navy week across the country from 30th March to 5th April.This year’s themewas Propelling Indian Maritime towards Net Zero.

The Chief Guest – 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 said. 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 explained the maritime fraternity about various steps taken by the government for the promotion of tonnage under Indian Flag.

MrNaiksaid, “At present we have 156 maritime training institutes in the country.For enhancing maritime skills, the industry will collaborate with IITs and leading education institutions in maritime sector that will help bring in skilled maritime human resources. Maritime sector is a key industry for achieving AatmaNirbhar Bharat.”

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 sensitization 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.

On the occasion, a Coffee Table Book on ‘Dufferin, Rajendra, Chanakya’ was 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.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister, MrNarendraModi, in a series of tweets recalled India’s glorious maritime history on National Maritime Day. Stating the  importance of maritime sector towards India’s economic growth, he said that in the last eight years the Government of India has focused on port-led development which includes expanding port capacities and making the existing systems even more efficient. He further said that waterways were being harnessed to ensure Indian products get access to new markets. He also emphasized that Government of India is taking adequate care to ensure the marine eco-system and diversity.

Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, SarbanandaSonowal in his message emphasised the important contribution of seafarers during the tough COVID times in making country self-reliant and keeping global supply chain operational.  The Minister informed that during the height of COVID pandemic over 2.10 lakh Indian seafarers served on Indian and Foreign ships.  He further elaborated that the share of Indian seafarers in world shipping has grown by 25% between 2016 and 2019.  “The Government is promoting ‘Ease of Doing Business” to reduce logistics costs and facilitate shipping to make India a pre-eminent player in the maritime sector.

Maritime personalities, Seafarers and their families, officers and staff from Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, New Delhi, DG Shipping, Mumbai, Shipping Corporation of India (SCI), IRS, Shipping Companies, Maritime Training Institutes, Unions in Maritime field from India and abroad and SagarSamman award winners and their families, other departments of Government of India and state governments participated.

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Box 1

The SagarSamman Awards were conferred:-

SagarSammanVaruna Award: Late Capt Harry Subramaniam(posthumously)

SagarSamman Award for Gallantry:Capt Sushil Kumar Singh and crew of vessel “GreatshipAhalya”

SagarSamman Award for Best Maritime Training Institute:The Great Eastern Institute of Maritime Studies, Lonawala, Pune

SagarSamman Award for Best Indian Ship-owning Company:The Shipping Corporation of India (SCI)

SagarSamman Award for Best Indian Employer of Seafarers:The Shipping Corporation of India (SCI)

SagarSamman Award for Best Foreign Employer of Indian Seafarers:MSC Crewing Service Pvt Ltd

Box 2

NMDC Week celebration Report

01^st April witnessed hybrid seminars about COVID Pandemic- Challenges and opportunities at SCI Auditorium, NarimanPoint, Mumbai. Capt MP Bhasin, Managing Director at MSC Crewing Services; Mr Amar Singh Thakur, General Secretary, The Maritime Union Of India; MrAbdulganiSerang, General Secretary-cum–Treasurer, NUSI; Capt AnshulRajvanshi, Managing Director, Synergy Maritime Recruitment Services Private Limited; Mr Sanjay Kumar Bariar, Additional Director General of Shipping; Mr PK Gangopadhay, Director (Personnel & Administration), SCI; and Dr Sanjay Bhavnani, Director & Chief Operating Officer · MMS Maritime India were present.

02^nd April, apanel discussion on the theme Propelling Indian Maritime Towards Net Zero was discussed at IRS, Powai, Mumbai. This discussion was graced by MrIndra N Bose, Advisor at The Great Eastern Shipping Co. Ltd; Mr Vijay Arora, MD, Indian Register of Shipping; Mr A Sukumanran, Principal Officer cum Joint Director General of Shipping (Tech), MMD Chennai; Mr CPK Kashyab, President – Operations, Sanmar Shipping; MrUmesh Grover, Secretary General, CFS Association of India; MrDasGupta and MrSanjeev Mehra, Hon Secretary, IMEI (I) Mumbai Branch, NMDC Organizing committee.

On 03^rd April, NMDC organized for a Maritime Awareness Run in NerulNavi Mumbai. Several students, shippers, union members and their families participated in the awareness run. Prizes were distributed under different categories such as Students, seniors and ladies categories. The winners were given a medal.

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