Pratik Bijlani –
The 63rd National Maritime Day Celebrations 2026 culminated on April 5 at the Bharat Ratna Mega Common Facilitation Centre in Mumbai, commemorating the historic 1919 voyage of the SS Loyalty—a defining moment that marked India’s entry into global maritime trade. Organized under the aegis of the Directorate General of Shipping, the grand finale brought together key stakeholders from government, industry, academia, and the seafaring community, reflecting the theme “Maritime India: Empowering Progress.”
The concluding event paid tribute to seafarers and maritime professionals whose contributions sustain over 90% of India’s trade by volume. The ceremony was graced by Chief Guest Mr Nitesh Narayan Rane, Hon’ble Cabinet Minister of Fisheries and Ports Development, Government of Maharashtra, and Guest of Honour Mr Deepak Shetty, Former Director General of Shipping, alongside senior dignitaries including Mr Shyam Jagannathan, Mr Sushil Mansing Khopde, Capt BK Tyagi, and Capt Som Raj.
The event commenced with a welcome address by Capt Raj, who highlighted the significance of National Maritime Day and the week-long Merchant Navy Week celebrations, emphasizing unity, excellence, and recognition through the prestigious Sagar Samman Awards. A written address from Mr Sarbananda Sonowal, Hon’ble Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways highlighted the maritime sector’s critical contribution to India’s trade—nearly 95%—and outlined key initiatives like Sagarmala that are shaping the nation’s port-led development.
In his address, Mr Rane emphasized the importance of maritime growth driven by innovation, sustainability, and skill development. He said “National Maritime Day is a tribute to our seafarers’ resilience and dedication. As India advances, our maritime sector must drive growth through innovation, sustainability, and skill development, strengthening our position as a globally competitive maritime nation.”
A key highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Sagar Samman Awards, recognizing excellence across the maritime sector. Capt Avtar Singh of MT STI Grace received the Sagar Samman Award for Gallantry for his leadership during a rescue operation, while Mr Naresh Nanda was honoured with the Award for Excellence for his lifelong contributions to maritime engineering and education. Capt Tyagi was conferred the Sagar Samman Varuna Award in recognition of his distinguished career and leadership in advancing India’s maritime sector.
The ceremony also featured video messages from Mr Shantanu Thakur and Mr Vijay Kumar, who highlighted the sector’s resilience and its vital role in economic growth and global connectivity. In his keynote address, Capt Tyagi acknowledged the collective efforts of maritime stakeholders and commended seafarers for their resilience during challenging global conditions.
The event included a vibrant cultural segment introduced by Ms Bharati Bhandarkar, featuring performances by cadets from maritime training institutes. This was followed by the presentation of Recognition Certificates to leading maritime institutions and organizations, including Shipping Corporation of India, Paradip Port Authority, and MSC Crewing Services Pvt Ltd, among others, acknowledging excellence in training, ship ownership, and seafarer employment.
In his address, Mr Jagannathan reinforced the importance of strengthening national shipping capacity, advancing shipbuilding, and promoting sustainable practices while reaffirming commitment to seafarer welfare. Mr Shetty highlighted the need for resilience and preparedness in an evolving global maritime landscape. He said “Amid a rapidly shifting global order, the maritime industry must move beyond ambition to preparedness—embracing risk modelling, digitization, and innovation, while strengthening resilience and collaboration to navigate uncertainty and secure a sustainable, future-ready course.”
The event concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Dr Sudhir Kohakade, followed by a dinner reception, marking the successful culmination of the celebrations and reaffirming India’s commitment to a strong, sustainable, and globally competitive maritime future.
Marex Media