Pratik Bijlani –
The National Maritime Day Celebrations (NMDC) Committee, under the aegis of the Directorate General of Shipping, commemorated the International Day for Women in Maritime on 18th May at the Maritime Training Institute (MTI) in Powai, Mumbai, bringing together maritime leaders, policymakers, educators, seafarers and cadets to celebrate the growing contribution of women across the maritime ecosystem. Held in line with the IMO’s 2026 global theme, “From Policy to Practice: Advancing Gender Equality for Maritime Excellence”, the event focused on transforming conversations around inclusion into tangible industry action.
The celebration highlighted the expanding presence of women across shipping, ports, logistics, maritime education, sustainability, digitalisation and seafarer welfare, while also recognising professionals who have demonstrated leadership, innovation and excellence within the industry. The event reflected the broader momentum led globally by the International Maritime Organization to increase visibility, opportunities and leadership pathways for women in maritime.
Welcoming delegates, Mr. S.M. Rai, Former Chairman of IMEI Mumbai Branch, highlighted India’s rich maritime legacy and emphasized the increasing opportunities being created for women through initiatives in shipbuilding, green shipping, maritime training and seafarer development. He also acknowledged initiatives such as “Sagar Mein Samman” and praised the efforts of the women’s wing of NMDC, SCI and DG Shipping in promoting inclusion.
In a special message, Mr. Sarbananda Sonowal, Hon’ble Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, highlighted the rising contribution of women across seafaring, engineering, policymaking and maritime entrepreneurship, while reaffirming India’s commitment to building a more inclusive maritime sector through initiatives linked to port modernisation, the blue economy and sustainable growth.
IMO Secretary-General Mr. Arsenio Dominguez emphasized the importance of diversity and inclusion in shaping a resilient maritime future, while Ms. Ashwini Bhide, IAS, Municipal Commissioner of BMC, underlined the need to translate policy commitments into meaningful workplace opportunities and leadership roles for women. As she noted, “Women today are not only participating in maritime; they are shaping its future through leadership, innovation and resilience. Advancing gender equality is not merely a policy objective, but a commitment to creating inclusive opportunities and building a sustainable, future-ready maritime ecosystem for generations to come.”
Chief Guest Mr. Sushil Mansing Khopde, IPS, Additional Director General of Shipping, stressed that inclusive growth is impossible without women’s equal participation in maritime. Highlighting initiatives such as “Sagar Mein Samman” scholarship programmes for women cadets and mental wellness initiatives like “Sagar Mein Yog” he encouraged women to break societal barriers and pursue leadership roles confidently. He remarked, “If we truly want the maritime sector to grow, we must ensure equal participation of women. Safety, dignity, opportunity and inclusion are not optional — they are essential. The biggest barrier is often in the mind; once that shackle is broken, women can achieve the highest levels in maritime and beyond.”
A major highlight of the event was the panel discussion moderated by Ms. Ambika Singh, Senior Marketing Manager at JNPA, on “From Policy to Practice: Advancing Gender Equality in Maritime.” The panel featured prominent maritime professionals including Ms. Sanjam Sahi Gupta, Ms. Saleha Shaikh, Chief Engineer Ms. Puja Kumari and Ms. Meghana Menon, who discussed accountability, safety, mentorship, onboard infrastructure, career visibility and the need for long-term support systems to retain women in maritime careers.
The event also featured impactful presentations by Mr. Bhooshan Malkani on Maersk’s “Equal at Sea” initiative and by Mr. V.A. Kamath of TS Rahman on the institute’s successful women ratings training programme conducted in partnership with Maersk. Together, the initiatives highlighted how structured training, scholarships, mentorship and industry collaboration are creating sustainable pathways for women from diverse backgrounds to enter maritime professions.
The programme further included cultural performances by cadets from various maritime institutes, the screening of a short film on “Sagar Mein Samman,” presentations on the initiative’s five-year roadmap by Dr. Kusum Kanwar and Ms. Ambika Singh, and inspiring success stories from young Indian women cadets. Distinguished women professionals including Mrs. Manisha Umakant Jadhav, Ms. Jhanvi Mehta, Chief Engineer Ms. Puja Kumari and Mrs. Aishwarya Gupta Pilankar were felicitated for their outstanding contributions to the maritime sector.
The event also witnessed the launch of “Samudra Lehar”, a publication initiative by Mrs. Bharati Bhandarkar dedicated to showcasing the achievements and leadership journeys of women in maritime. The celebration concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr. Sudhir Kohakade, reaffirming the industry’s collective commitment towards building a safer, more inclusive and future-ready maritime ecosystem for women.
Marex Media