National Maritime Day 2019

India is celebrating National Maritime Day today with the theme this year being “Indian Ocean – An Ocean of opportunity”. India has a beautiful coastline with an amazing maritime history dating back to the third millennium BCE. On this occasion, we bring to you some interesting facts about the Indian maritime.

First observed on April 5, 1964, the National Maritime Day aims to spread awareness in supporting safe and environmentally sound commerce between the continents across the world.
In 1919, SS Loyalty – the first ship of The Scindia Steam Navigation Company Ltd. – created history by voyaging to the United Kingdom. This was a milestone in India’s maritime history since the sea routes were controlled by the Britishers back then.
According to experts, the history of Indian maritime dates back to the third millennium BCE when the Indus Valley inhabitants initiated trading contact with the Mesopotamia.
Since the last century, India has been keenly focused on the Indian Ocean and the security changes along its maritime boundaries.
According to experts, the port sector in India is being driven by high growth in external trade.
India has a long coastline of about 7, 517 km with more than 200 ports. Hence there are great opportunities in the ports sector.
The non-major ports of India are witnessing tremendous growth and special economic zones are being developed in close proximity of these zones.
An award titled Varuna is conferred to people who have made outstanding contribution to the Indian maritime sector on this day.
The World Maritime Day (WMD) is celebrated on the September 26 every year to highlight the importance of shipping, maritime security and environment.