National Maritime Day: 5th April

National Maritime Day is celebrated on 5th April in India to commemorate the maiden journey of India’s first commercial vessel from Bombay to London. SS Loyalty, the commercial vehicle owned by Scindia Steam Navigation Co. Ltd., marked its journey from Bombay to London on 5th April 1919. This year will mark the 60th National Maritime Day. The maritime industry of India has developed rapidly over the decades to facilitate maritime trade and boost the country’s economic growth. 

Theme:
Every year, there is a new National Maritime Day theme announced by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Government of India. This year, the celebration will be special because of the 60th Indian Maritime Day. 

History:

National Maritime Day was first celebrated on April 5, 1964. The saga of Indian shipping first started on April 5, 1919, when the SS Loyalty, the first ship of The Scindia Steam Navigation Company Ltd travelled from Mumbai to the United Kingdom (London). On this day an award called “Varuna” is conferred to those who made an outstanding contribution to the Indian maritime sector.