The National Maritime Week is observed every year from the 30th March to 5th April and National Maritime Day is celebrated every year on 5th April, since 1964. The day marks commencement of maiden voyage of the first Indian Steamship “S.S. LOYALTY” from Mumbai to London (UK) on 5th April 1919. This day stands for a remarkable moment in Indian maritime history and celebrated as National Maritime Day every year, since 1964.
Passenger-cum-cargo ship “S.S. LOYALTY” was owned by the first Swadeshi Shipping Company M/s. Scindia Steam, Navigation Co. Ltd. in true sense of the terms and was referred to widely in the Mahatma Gandhi’s columns in ‘Young India’ and ‘Harijan’, on the Swadeshi movement, the boycott of foreign goods and non-cooperation movement.
The 61st National Maritime Day and weeklong Merchant Navy Week was celebrated which was concluded on 5th April, 2024 all over India and same was celebrated by stakeholders of Gujarat coast.
A week from 30th March to 5th April 2024 was also celebrated as Merchant Navy Week with this year’s theme as ‘Sustainable Shipping: Opportunities and Challenges’ by the Mercantile Marine Department (MMD), Kandla, allied office of the Directorate General of Shipping, Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, in coordination with stakeholders such as Deendayal Port Authority (DPA) Kandla, GMB ports, APSEZ Mundra and Maritime Training Institutes located in the Gujarat Coast.
The MMD Kandla in association with DPA Kandla, APSEZ, Mundraand Government Schools organized the week -long celebration designed to show case the role of the Shipping Industry in all its aspects by exchange of knowledge and information to bring awareness among the general public through seminars/workshops, competitions, Yoga session etc. From 30th March 2024 till 5th April 2024, Marine Bhavan (Operational Buildings) of DPA were illuminated with decorative lightings.
The weeklong celebration includes conduct of Yoga Session on 31.03.2024 at Lothal House, MMD Kandla office at morning 6.30 AM.
Competition such as Drawing & Essay was held for children in coordination with Government Schools on 01.04.2024, on the subject ‘Responsibility towards beach cleaning by common citizen’ to bring awareness among young students about marine pollution.
Also, talk was given by the Principal Officer, MMD-Kandla on entry into the merchant navy profession to the students of 9th and 11th standards of higher and secondary government school of Ganesh Nagar, Gandhidham.
On 02.04.2024,Beach Cleaning activity of Swaminarayan Beach, Mandvi was undertaken by APSEZ Mundra in coordination with MMD Kandla. The event was not just a routine cleanup, but a testament to the collective dedication of Adani employees, their families, children, with MMD Kandla. In addition, the presence of Principal Officer, MMD Kandla Captain Santoshkumar Darokar, Shri Sujal Shah CEO -APSEZ Mundra &Tuna Ports,teams of Mechanized Sailing Vessel (MSV) Association and Indian Coast Guard added a sense of gravitas to the occasion towards environmental stewardship and maritime heritage preservation. The event showcased a remarkable spirit of unity as participants from diverse backgrounds came together with a shared goal – to restore the pristine beauty of Mandavi Beach. Around 250 kgs of waste was collected and disposed of as RDF in Ambuja Cement.
On 3rd April 2024, workshop/seminar was organized by APSEZ Mundra at Adani corporate building in coordination with MMD Kandla on this year theme on “Sustainable Shipping: Opportunities and Challenges”, particularly challenges faced by pilots in APSEZ Mundra port during berthing and unberthing operation. Principal Officer, MMD Kandla, Marine Head APSEZ Mundra andMundra Pilots interacted on subtopic “Navigating the future: safety first!” and challenges faced in maritime sector and how team overcomes to ensure safe navigation of ships to and from the port.Contribution of pilots towards maritime sector and spreading awareness and recognizing the efforts and contribution of India’s maritime sector to enhancing the country’s economic growth and development.
The weeklong celebrations include pinning of the Merchant Navy Flag to the Hon’ble Prime Minister and the Hon’ble Governors of respective Maritime States. As a tradition, on 4th April, 2024, the Principal Officer (In- Charge), MMD Kandla Capt Santoshkumar S Darokar ceremonially pinned the miniature flag of Merchant Navy Day on the apparel of the Hon’ble Governor Shri of Gujarat Shri Acharya Devvrat, at Raj Bhavan, Gandhinagar. On the occasion, Shri S K Mehta (IFS), Chairman DPA Kandla, Shri RajkumarBeniwal (IAS) -Vice Chairman &Chief Executive Officer, Gujarat Maritime Board, PadamShriGanpat I. President, Ganpat University, Capt B Ladva -Chief Nautical Officer, GMB, Shri Ashish Wankhede Engineer & Ship Surveyor- MMD Kandla were also present on the occasion. Informatively, ‘First Merchant Navy Day’ flag was pinned on his apparel to Hon’ble GovernorShri of Gujarat consecutively in the previous year’s 2023, 2022 and 2021. The year 2021 was the first year of pinning of flag to Hon’ble Governor Shri of Gujarat in the Maritime State of Gujarat. The Hon’ble Governor of Gujarat extended his best wishes to all the stakeholders of maritime industry and seafarers for celebration of the Merchant Navy week. The Hon’ble Governor of Gujarat appreciated the important contribution of the MMD, DPA, GMB ports and Maritime Training Institute for economic development of India and supply of human resources to merchant marine trade.
On the concluding day on 5th April 2024, Merchant Navy Flag was hoisted in DPA Kandla port premises, near Cargo Berth I, at 0800Hrs by CaptSantoshkumar S. Darokar Principal Officer (I/c), MMD Kandla & Deputy Conservator Capt Pradeep Mohanty in presence of all port users, Ships crew, and esteemed guests present on the occasion. Sail Past of Ports crafts and tugs was organized with demonstration of various skills related to firefighting and maneuvering capabilities. On the occasion, address was given by the Principal Officer (I/c), MMD Kandla on the importance of celebration of National Maritime Day. All port Ships & Crafts were ‘Dressed up ’ from Sunrise to Sunset.
The main concluding function for celebration of National Maritime Day was held on 5th April 2024, in Rotary Club Hall, at evening hours.Shri Nandeesh Shukla (IRTS), Deputy Chairman, Deendayal Port Authority (DPA), Kandla and Shri SagarBagmar (IPS), Superintendent of Police, Kutch East Gandhidham & Shri Ashish Dhania (IRS), Area Manager, Western Railway, Gandhidhamhad kindly consented to grace the occasion as Chief Guest. However, due to the immediate commitment of security aspects, Shri Sagar Bagmar (IPS), Superintendent of Police, Kutch East Gandhidham could not join the function.
On this occasion, information on Maritime History was displayed on standees showcasing the contribution of the great leaders and their vision on Shipping Development both in the period of pre-independence and post-independence. A Film Division Movie on National Maritime Day and a documentary on SS Loyalty was screened during the function.
Shri Gopi Nandan Engineer & Ship Surveyor (E&SS) MMD, Kandla introduced ancient Maritime History and welcome speech was delivered by Capt. Santoshkumar S. Darokar, Principal Officer (I/c), MMD, Kandla who welcomed all the invitees from various Government organizations, representatives from the Shipping Industry, representatives of Press Media, young school children who took part in competitive examinations and young cadets appearing for written examination at MMD Kandla. He also highlighted the old history and role India in ancient and modern maritime trade.
Shri Nandeesh Shukla IRTS Dy. Chairman, DPA stated that National Maritime Day is not only associated with Loyalty ship sailed from India but vision of Atman Nirbharta by establishing own company and taking lead in Indian mercantile marine by the Indians during the British era.
He also highlighted importance of maritime ancient history during the period of Maurya and Chola industry which had large size of ships and therefore as a maritime nation, size of ship is more important than number of ships registered by any maritime nation.
He informed the gathering about future upcoming developments and projects which may be undertaken by the Kandla port for ship repair and fuel supply center. Also, he informed about ‘Seafarers Home’ run by the Kandla port for welfare of the seafarers which had received best award in the past, in the year 2012. He said that it is one of the best clubs run by the Port.
The Guest of Honour Shri Shri Ashish Dhania (IRS), Area Manager, Western Railway, Gandhidham gave insight about initiatives undertaken by the Railway and MOPSW undertaking many projects under Sagarmala projects to connect ports and development of ICDs which are connected to ports and hinterland for achieving decongestion. He stressed upon to enhance synergy between port, railway and maritime sector to make the sectors grow more for betterment of Indian economy. Despite opportunities, the industry is facing challenges of piracy, environmental pollution and challenging trade dynamics and thus to find solution to make this industry more viable solution.
The certificates and mementos were distributed to the successful students who were the winners in the Drawing and Essay competition held during the merchant navy week by the hands of Chief Guest and Guest of Honour.
In addition, mementoes were also presented to the Chief Guest and Guest of Honourby Principal Officer MMD, Kandla.
Also, certificates were presented to the Cadets appearing for examination in MMD-Kandla Centre, participated in YOGA SESSION at Lothal House, MMD-Kandla.
The function was ended by the ‘Vote of Thanks’ followed by the National Anthem and thereafter dinner.
