By Dominick Rodrigues

Mumbai : Union Minister of State (I/C) for Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Mansukh Mandaviya recently reiterated that the ‘Maritime India Vision-2030’ has been formulated with targets set for overall development of India’s maritime sector.

 “Greater importance is being given by the Centre to improve ports, infrastructure, connectivity and ancillary units for transportation and generating more employment, he said while appreciating all initiatives taken to help seafarers during the pandemic, including their joining and getting off the ships.

 The Minister was addressing a virtual gathering at the Grand Finale function of ‘58th National Maritime Day’ on April 5, 2021, in which maritime personalities, seafarers and families in India and abroad participated to commemorate sailing of the First Indian-owned vessel “S S Loyalty” on her maiden voyage from Mumbai to London.

 The Union Minister — who was the Chief Guest on the occasion –, congratulated all stakeholders of the maritime fraternity while highlighting Indian maritime history that witnessed being India connected with the globe for trade and commerce.

“The Indian Government is promoting ‘Ease of Doing Business’ to reduce logistic costs and facilitate shipping and is working towards making the Indian maritime sector secure the foremost position in the world,” Dr Sanjeev Ranjan, Secretary, Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MPSW), said while lauding the tremendous contribution made by maritime community.

Detailing the recent developments from legal aspects in the maritime sector, he highlighted ‘Maritime India Vision 2030’ – comprising over 150 initiatives that would make the vision a reality in tune with the task of achieving an ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat.’

 Describing India’s glorious & flourishing maritime history since 3500 BC and the challenges faced by the maritime sector, Amitabh Kumar, Director-General of Shipping, said this year’s celebration theme being ‘Sustainable Shipping beyond Covid-19’ focused on the battle against COVID that included developing SoPs and creating infrastructures to facilitate crew change and allowing sign-on/ sign-off for Indian and foreign seafarers using the country’s Vande Bharat Mission Flights, Bubble Flights and Charter Flights that helped a large number of seafarers – a “globally unparalleled action’.

 Guy Platten, Secretary-General of International Chamber of Shipping, in his keynote address, thanked seafarers for their sense of duty and dedication in maintaining supply chains during the Pandemic, ensuring supplies of medicines, fuel and food in particular. Highlighting environmental issues and urgent need for alternative carbon-free fuels amidst enormous challenges for “decarbonisation,” Platten also focused on a proposal by the International Maritime Organization to establish a Maritime Research & Development Board researching ”Zero-carbon Fuel.”

During this program, various awards were conferred upon the meritorious persons and excellent organizations. The National Maritime VARUNA Award was conferred upon Arun Sharma, Executive Chairman, Indian Register of Shipping. The National Maritime Award for Excellence was given to Raghuvir Chand Bhavnani, Advisor, The Viswa Group of Companies, for their exceptional and outstandingly all-round contributions to the global Maritime Sector.

The National Maritime Award for Gallantry was conferred upon Capt. Ritesh Bhamaria for exceptional act of outstanding bravery in extraordinarily adverse circumstances in a maritime situation and saving lives of two fishermen in the straits of Torres in between Australia and New Guinea.

The National Maritime Award for Best Marine Training Institute was conferred upon The Great Eastern Institute of Maritime Studies. The National Maritime Award for Best Foreign Employer of Indian Seafarers was given to the Anglo Eastern Ship Management Pvt Ltd.