National Maritime Day, celebrated annually in India on April 5, honours those who spend months at sea, contributing to India’s trade. It also commemorates the inaugural voyage of the first Indian-owned ship. This year, the Government of India will celebrate the National Maritime Day alongside the Merchant Navy Week from March 30 to April 5. The National Maritime Day offers an opportunity to emphasise the role of the maritime industry in India’s economic growth and highlights the sacrifice of seafarers who not only run the trade but also partake in national security by deterring pirate attacks.
History and Significance
The National Maritime Day was first celebrated in 1964 by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways. This year will mark the 61st National Maritime Day. The day not only celebrates India’s maritime might, but also commemorates the inaugural voyage of the first Indian-owned ship, SS Loyalty from Mumbai to London on April 5, 1919.
The maiden voyage of SS Loyalty symbolised India’s aspiration of becoming a key stakeholder in the maritime sector. The SS Loyalty also put a dent in the monopoly of the British shipping companies.
The day serves as a platform to highlight issues affecting the maritime industry such as ocean pollution, lack of global cooperation to ensure safe voyages, and improving working conditions for ship and port workers.
How it is celebrated
The National Maritime Day celebrations are held across the country, but major ports such as Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Kandla, and Visakhapatnam see special government-supported events such as seminars, medical camps, and blood donation drives.
The National Maritime Day celebrations include observing the Merchant Navy Flag Day and the Wreath Laying Ceremony to honour the sailors who lost their lives in the First and Second world wars.
On National Maritime Day, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways presents the Sagar Samman Awards to those who display “exceptional and outstanding all-round and leadership” and “outstanding bravery” in the maritime sector.
The awards include the Sagar Samman Varuna Award, which is the highest category of award, the Sagar Samman Award for Excellence, and the Sagar Samman Award for Gallantry.
The best Indian ship-owning companies, maritime training institutes, and Indian Ports are also recognised with a number of awards.
India’s growth as an emerging maritime superpower
Today, India has become the 16th largest maritime country in the world, supported by about 200 non-major ports and 12 major ports.
As per a March 2024, press release by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, “over the last 9 years, the number of seafarers has increased by 140 per cent.”
Additionally, the Indian seafarers “occupy 12 percent of international seafaring jobs”. By 2023, the ministry wants this figure to touch 20 per cent.
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