The Governor of Maharashtra K. Sankaranarayanan will inaugurate the State level Merchant Navy Week organised by the National Maritime Day Celebrations (Central) Committee at Conference Hall, Raj Bhavan, Mumbai at 5.00 PM on Monday, 31 March 2014. 

 

The National Maritime Day is celebrated every year on 5th April in commemoration of the maiden voyage of the first Indian Vessel ‘S. S. Loyalty’ owned by M/s. Scindia Steam Navigation Company from Mumbai to London on 5th April 1919. This year the Merchant Navy Week will be observed from the 29th March 2014 to 5th April 2014, while the 51st National Maritime Day will be celebrated on Saturday, 5th April 2013. 

 

The main objective of the Merchant Navy Week is to highlight the significant role of the Indian Shipping sector in the overall transportation industry in the country and promote its development, inter-alia, by disseminating calibrated information through different modes of publications / media such as newspapers, meetings, symposia, workshops, exhibitions, competitions, etc.. 

 

The National Maritime Day also recognises the services of seafarers and persons and organisations connected with perspective promotion and development of national shipping sector. It also entails organisation of other allied activities on that occasion by conferring associated awards, scholarships and felicitations. Besides, these celebrations also address the welfare and human resources development aspects aspects for seafarers and shipping personnel.