In a grand celebration that brought together maritime industry leaders, government officials, seafarers, and stakeholders from across the globe, “World Maritime Day 2023” and the “3rd Roadshow-Global Maritime India Summit (GMIS)-2023” were jointly celebrated on September 29, 2023. The event, held in a hybrid format, marked a significant milestone in India’s maritime journey.
Under the theme “MARPOL at 50 – Our commitment goes on,” as chosen by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) for 2023, the occasion served as a platform to highlight India’s dedication to sustainable shipping practices.
The event was graced by the presence of Capt. B. K. Tyagi, Chairman & Managing Director of the Shipping Corporation of India and Vice-Chairman of the NMDC (Central) Committee, who welcomed the distinguished guests and provided insights into the significance of the day. He also detailed the preparations for GMIS-2023, which saw participation from SCI ships around the world.
A heartfelt video message from Mr. Kitack Lim, Secretary General of IMO, emphasized the importance of placing the human element at the forefront of technological and green transitions for a sustainable planet.
Union Minister, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways & Ministry of Ayush, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, conveyed his confidence in the transformative power of modern technologies within the maritime ecosystem. He called upon all maritime industry stakeholders to join India’s journey of showcasing advancements in the GMIS-2023, scheduled for October 17th to 19th in Mumbai.
Shri Ash Mohamad, Deputy Director General of Shipping, presented the meticulous arrangements made for GMIS-2023.
As part of the celebration, Mr. Vijay Arora, Managing Director of the Indian Register of Shipping, chaired a panel discussion on this year’s theme. Eminent panelists from various sectors, including Dr. Rajnish Kumar, Capt. Tushar Pradhan, and Mr. Mudit Mehrotra, engaged in discussions on sustainable shipping practices.
Mr. Bart de Jong, Consul General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, emphasized the importance of the MARPOL convention and its evolving regulatory framework, with a focus on decarbonization. He stressed the role of partnerships and collaborations in achieving implementation and protecting the environment.
Shri. R. Lakshmanan, IAS, Joint Secretary (Inland Waterways Transport, Admn. & Coordination, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, New Delhi), highlighted India’s achievements and readiness for GMIS, showcasing India’s excellence in the maritime field on a global scale.
Shri Shyam Jagannathan, IAS, Director General of Shipping & Chairman, NMDC, Central Committee, shared insights into India’s maritime advancements, including Maritime India Vision-2030. He outlined a roadmap for successful MARPOL implementation in India and invited stakeholders to witness India’s maritime development at GMIS.
