Padmesh Prabhune –
The Grand Finale of the 61st National Maritime Day was held at the YB Chavan Auditorium, Mumbai, with its theme of: ‘Sustainable Shipping- Opportunities and Challenges’
Eminent maritime personalities from India and abroad and seafarers and their families participated in the colourful event held in Mumbai on Friday, 5 April 2024.
The Chief Guest for the function was Vice Admiral Sanjay Bhalla, AVSM, NM, Chief of Staff, Western Naval Command, Indian Navy.
Vice Admiral Bhalla said, “At the outset I thank DG Shipping and it’s my privilege to be part of the 61st National Maritime Day. The DG shipping is at the forefront of enhancing the safety and security of seafarers. The sea is a mirror reflecting the dreams & hopes and the boundless potential of human spirit. The National Maritime day is a day of reflection, remembrances and renewal of our debt to honor the seafarers who are our leaders and unsung heroes.”
Shri T.K. Ramchandran, IAS, Secretary, Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, Govt of India, who could not make it to the event in his written message read by Mr Mukul Dutta mentioned about the valor of seafarers who brave the wild seas in their duty towards the nation. The message also highlighted the significant role of the maritime sector in building the nation.
Shri Shyam Jagannathan, IAS, Director General of Shipping, and the Chairman of NMDC committee in his keynote address, said, “Nearly 95% of India’s overseas trade by volume and 75% by value is carried through maritime transport and approximately 92% of these goods are carried through foreign flagged vessels.”
Indian merchant marine fleet today stands at 1523 ships with a tonnage of 13.6 Million GT. India has more than 500 thousand registered seafarers out of which about 285 thousand are employed in a year, 85% on foreign flag and 15 % on Indian flag ships. The Directorate is also taking steps for gender equality which is a prime objective of the Indian maritime administration, for encouragement of entry of women into the field of shipping.
Highlighting the importance of sustainable environment, Shri Anil Devli, CEO Indian National Shipowners Association made a presentation on Sustainable shipping- Challenges and Opportunities
Sagar Samman Awards
As a part of celebration and acknowledgement of professional services, individuals & organizations were felicitated with awards.
The Sagar Samman Varuna Awards conferred this year upon Dhirendra Kumar Sanyal (91 years old now) who could not make it in-person due to ill health, but in a televised message thanked everyone, saying, “I am honored to receive this with all delight and excitement, although I wish I could have come to Mumbai to receive this great Award.”
While Sagar Samman for Excellence was conferred upon Capt Kamalkant Chaudhary, the Sagar Samman Gallantry Awards were conferred upon Capt Subir Saha and Capt Om Dutta.
Recognitions in the category of Pre Sea Training were awarded to: 1) Anglo Eastern Maritime Academy, 2) Tolani Maritime Institute and 3) Great Eastern Institute of Maritime Studies
Recognitions in category of Post Sea Training were awarded to:
1) Hindustan Institute of Marine Training, Tamil Nadu 2) Hindustan Institute of Maritime Training, Chennai and 3) FOSMA Maritime Institute and Research Organisation, Kolkata.
While The Shipping Corporation of India bagged the Award in category for Outstanding Indian employer of seafarers, BW India, and Suntech Crew Management bagged the Award in the category of Foreign employers of Seafarers with Shipboard berths between 500 & 1000.
In the category of Shipboard berths above 1,000, Synergy, Anglo Eastern Ship Management Pvt. Ltd., and MSC Crewing Pvt. Ltd were honoured with Awards.
IMO Gender equality letter of commendation was awarded to Ms Sanjam Sahi Gupta , and Commodore Amit Shrivastav.
Earlier Governor of Maharashtra Shri Ramesh Bais had ceremonially inaugurated the celebrations of 61st Merchant Navy Week starting 30th March to 5th April, 2024, by receiving the Merchant Navy Flag.
The Director General of Shipping Shri Shyam Jagannathan ceremonially pinned the miniature flag of Merchant Navy Day on the apparel of the Hon’ble Governor to mark the beginning of the 61st Merchant Navy Week. The CMD of Shipping Corporation of India Ltd.(SCI) Capt B K Tyagi and heads of various Organisations and unions in maritime sector were also present on the occasion.
The week long celebrations were designed to showcase the role of the Shipping Industry in all its aspects, through exchange of knowledge and information vide publications, meetings, seminars, symposium, workshops, exhibition, competitions etc.
Marex Media
NMD is celebrated to commemorate the maiden voyage of the first modern Indian-owned vessel, “SS Loyalty” on her maiden voyage from Mumbai to London, on April 5 in 1919.