MUMBAI: ‘World Maritime Day 2022’ was celebrated virtually on September 26, 2022 in the presence of a huge number of stakeholders from the maritime industry, Government officials, Seafarers and their families in India and abroad. International Maritime Organization (IMO) has chosen the theme – “New Technologies for Greener Shipping” for the year 2022.
In a goodwill message, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways and AYUSH expressed confidence that the advent of new and modern technologies will bring about major improvements in the maritime eco-systems and help us to progress towards greener shipping at a fast pace.
In a video message, Mr. Kitack Lim, Hon’ble Secretary General, IMO stated that new technologies for greener shipping opens up a larger conversation about shipping’s direction and how technology can be harnessed for a more sustainable future.
While addressing the gathering,
Shri Amitabh Kumar, Director General of Shipping & Chairman, NMDC, Central Committee presented importance of the World Maritime Day and informed the developments made by the Government of India in the maritime field, particularly for Greener Shipping as well our future prospects. He touched upon various developments in relation to Maritime India Vision-2030, National Hydrogen Mission, National Policy on Biofuels, Regulatory regime for ship owners to pilot or adopt alternate fuels and technologies, adopting various study based futuristic policies to ensure smooth transition to Green Shipping through involvement in international initiatives such as Green Corridors with QUAD, IMO-Norway Green Voyage 2050, etc. He informed that India has been selected as Pioneer Pilot Countries (PPCs) for IMO-Norway Green Voyage, 2050 project and also as the first country for piloting a green shipping project under Green Voyage.
Shri A. Sukumaran, Chief Surveyor (I/C) of DG Shipping Mumbai presided over the panel discussion on this year’s theme with the eminent panelists namely Shri Indra Nath Bose-Adviser GESCO, INSA, Mr Kristian Mogensen- MAN Energy Solution, Denmark, MS K.R. Anjana-General Manager, Cochin Shipyard, Shri Niteen Borwanker-CEO, SEZ, Jawaharlal Nehru Port and Shri Vikrant Rai, Engineer and Ship Surveyor, DG Shipping representing various maritime fields, including Ship owners, Engine Makers, Shipyards, Ports and Government. The discussion was followed by a Q & A session.
Shri Atul Ubale, Chairman, National Maritime Day Celebrations (Organizing) Committee welcomed all dignitaries in the program, while Dr. Raut Pandurang, Member Secretary, NMDC (Central) Committee presented the vote of thanks.
