National Maritime Day
Context:
National Maritime Day is observed every year in India on 5 April to raise awareness about intercontinental commerce and the need for defending and preserving the country’s maritime zone.
- This year marks the 61st edition of National Maritime Day.
- Theme: “Navigating the Future: Safety First”.
Relevance:
GS – 2 GS – 3 (Government Policies & Interventions, Growth & Development, Infrastructure)
Why National Maritime Day is celebrated?
- As shipping contributes significantly to the country’s economy, it is to encourage the merchant shipping industry of India that this day is celebrated.
- At present, India ranks as the 16th largest maritime country globally, supported by around 200 non-major ports and 12 major ports.
Maritime India Vision 2030:
- The Maritime India Vision 2030 (MIV 2030) is a plan to transform ports in India.
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It is a ten-year blueprint for the maritime sector which was released by the Prime Minister of India at the Maritime India Summit 2021.
- The plan includes aspirations in logistics, infrastructure, and shipping, and supports India’s “Blue Economy”.
- The plan outlines more than 300 initiatives for enhancing ports, and also focuses on:
- Enhancing operational efficiency
- Developing state-of-the-art infrastructure
- Boosting cruise tourism
- Increasing usage of renewable energy
- Reducing air emissions
- Optimizing water usage
- Improving solid waste management
- Zero accident safety program
- Centralized monitoring system
- It also focuses on shipping-related initiatives, which include growing sectors related to ship building, recycling, and repair. The plan also targets 2 million direct and indirect jobs by 2030.
