Date: June 26, 2024
Posted by: PIB Mumbai
The Directorate General of Shipping (DG Shipping), under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, celebrated the '14th Day of the Seafarer' on June 25, 2024, at the Swatantra Veer Sawarkar Sabhagruha in Mumbai. The event, themed 'Navigating The Future: Safety First,' was part of the National Maritime Day Celebrations (Central) Committee [NMDC], adopting the campaign hashtag 'Safety Tips at Sea.'
Key Highlights of the Celebration:
Union Minister's Message: Union Cabinet Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, in his message, acknowledged the invaluable contributions of Indian seafarers in maintaining the global supply chain. He emphasized the importance of their role in ensuring the seamless movement of goods and services across the world.
Government Initiatives: Shri T K Ramachandra, Secretary of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, highlighted various government initiatives aimed at benefiting seafarers. In his video message, he stressed the importance of safety and security in the maritime sector and outlined the measures taken by the government to enhance the welfare of seafarers.
Keynote Address: Shri Shyam Jagannathan, Director General of Shipping and Chairman of the NMDC (Central) Committee, delivered the keynote address. He congratulated the seafarers and announced India's goal to increase its share of global seafarers from 12% to over 20%. He introduced new initiatives like 'Sagar Mey Samman' to promote diversity, equality, and inclusion for women seafarers and 'Sagar Mey Yog' to enhance mental and physical well-being among seafarers. He also discussed the importance of 'Suraksha Hamesha-Sarvapratham' (Safety Always First), the development of a state-of-the-art Learning Management System (LMS) for quality education and maritime training, and the digitization of examination processes to address grievances and improve crisis management.
Guest of Honour: Capt. Karen Davis, Managing Director of the Oil Companies International Marine Forum (OCIMF), served as the Guest of Honour. She congratulated seafarers and stakeholders in the maritime industry, sharing safety tips and guidance based on her extensive experience. Capt. Davis encouraged seafarers to be brave and vocal about their challenges, highlighting the opportunities available for both men and women in the offshore sector. She praised the efforts of DG Shipping, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, the Indian Navy, and other organizations in maintaining maritime security.
Message from IMO: Mr. Arsenio Dominguez, Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), commended the seafarers for their dedication to safety and their readiness to handle emergency situations. His message reinforced the theme of 'Navigating The Future: Safety First.'
Souvenir Release: A souvenir commemorating the 61st year of NMDC was released, detailing various aspects of the maritime industry. Presentations were given by officers from DG Shipping on topics such as ensuring seafarer security, their rights, safety connect and casualty analysis, and strategies to increase India's share of global seafarers.
Cultural Performances and Felicitations: Cadets showcased their talents through skits emphasizing the importance of safety in shipping. NMDC also felicitated around 20 meritorious candidates for their outstanding academic performance.
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