National Maritime Day: 5 April

Tags: Important Days

National Maritime Day is a part of the National Maritime Week, which begins on 30 March and ends on 5 April and this year marks the 60th anniversary of National Maritime Day in India.

An Overview of the News

• National Maritime Day (NMD) is celebrated every year on 5th April to commemorate the maiden voyage of the first Indian owned ship "SS Loyalty" (the first ship of Scindia Steam Navigation Company Limited) that sailed from Bombay to London on 5th April 1919 .

• The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways started this day in 1964 to commemorate the voyage of SS Loyalty, India's first commercial vessel.

• The day celebrates India's contribution to the maritime industry and its history as a seafaring nation.

• It is a day to express gratitude to the seafarers who work tirelessly at sea away from their families to ensure the smooth functioning of the industry.

• The theme of National Maritime Week 2023 is 'Shipping Mein Amrit Kaal', which in English means 'Golden Era in Shipping'

• The theme emphasises the potential for significant progress and growth in the Indian maritime industry over a period of 25 years from the 75th to the 100th year of India's independence.

World Maritime Day (WMD) is observed on 29 September.