National Maritime Day is celebrated every year to raise awareness about international trade and the economy. India is celebrating National Maritime Day’s 59th anniversary.
This year’s theme of the National Maritime Day is “Sustainable Shipping beyond COVID-19”.
Stating the Days’ significance Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted on Twitter;
“Today, on National Maritime Day we recall our glorious maritime history and highlight the importance of the maritime sector towards India’s economic growth. In the last 8 years, our maritime sector has scaled new heights and contributed to boosting trade and commercial activities.”
“leveraging the maritime sector for economic progress and building an Aatmanirbhar Bharat, they are also taking adequate care to ensure the marine eco-system and diversity which India is proud of is safeguarded.”- He added.
The Day’s History
On April 5th, 1919 the ship called SS loyalty built by The Scindia Steam Navigation Company Ltd travelled from Mumbai to London. Thus starting India’s history of commercial shipping. India was still under British rule at that instance.
Thereafter independence, in 1959 India joined the International Maritime Organization (IMO). International Maritime Organization is responsible for safety and pollution prevention from ships.
