On April 5, 2019, Indian shipping completes a glorious hundred years. It’s an historic occasion, as it was on this day in 1919, Scindia Steam Navigation Company’s first ship ‘S.S LOYALTY’ sailed from Bombay to United Kingdom and unfurled the national flag of Indian Shipping in International waters.
Since April 5, 1963, the Govt. of India has dedicated this day as National Maritime Day.
Ship owner Narottam Morarjee and his associated embarked upon a national shipping venture with the feeling of patriotic joy and nationalism, and the Scindia Steam Navigation Company came into existence on March 27, 1919 at Bombay and thus laid the foundation of Modern Indian Shipping.
The epic voyage symbolized the regeneration of a vanquished national industry, development of neglected ports, growth of Indian trade and opening of a career at sea to the Indian youth.
Scindia conducted the long voyage and promoted the interest of the Indian shipping industry. The progressive growth of the Indian shipping bears testimony to his vision and foresight.
Today all the major and minor seaports in India are busiest working around the clock. Ports serve to meet the essential requirements of the people by loading and discharging general and bulk cargo, container cargo and petroleum products from ships.
The Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) was formed in 1961 and has completed 59 years of dedicated maritime service to the nation this year. It has grown to be one of the largest shipping companies of the world with a diversified fleet of over 100 ships, including very large crude oil carriers, (VLCC).
Mormugao Port Trust should improve the infrastructure during the centenary year. Many international tourists from the four corners of the world would be delighted to see the natural beauty of Goa, popularly known as the Rome of the East.
Many of the world cruise passenger ships would then include Mormugao Port in its itinerary on their way, where cruise ships make a port of call at Singapore.
Indian shipping has played a key role along with Indian seafarers in world trade, in carrying national and international imports and exports, general cargo and petroleum products cargo, sailing across the seven seas. Infact many maritime countries have offered to their seafarer total exemptions from tax or substantial concessions of taxes are given in their salaries.
If such incentives are provided it could serve as a preventive measure to arrest at times the shortage of Indian officers and crew members in manning Indian ships as there is a demand for competent and qualified Indian maritime personnel in world shipping Industry.
Finally Goan and Indian seafarers will be grateful to the Hon’ble Shipping Minister Nitin Gadkari and the Director General of Shipping, if the approval is given to have a mercantile Marine Department examination centre at Goa and for issue in new CDC document
It will be a gift to all Goan seafarers during this centenary year of Indian shipping.
