Day of the Seafarer

Day of the Seafarer History

The Day of the Seafarer is an annual observance that honours the invaluable contributions made by seafarers in maintaining the world's economy and facilitating global trade. Across the world, different countries celebrate this day to express gratitude towards the seafaring community and to recognize their sacrifices, hardships, and dedication towards their profession. The observance also aims to raise awareness about the significance of seafarers' roles and their impact on people's lives, as they transport around 90% of the world's goods.

In India, the maritime industry has played a crucial role in shaping the country's economic landscape for centuries. The celebration of the Day of the Seafarer holds immense importance for the nation, with its 7,500 km long coastline and strong dependence on overseas trade. The Indian seafaring community has not only contributed to the global supply chain but has also played a vital role in ferrying crude oil and various essential goods, ensuring the nation's energy security. India's maritime history is rich, dating back to the ancient times of the Indus Valley civilization, Aryans, Mauryas, and the rich legacy of Chola dynasty's seafarers.

Various events and activities take place across India to mark the Day of the Seafarer, ranging from seminars and workshops to welfare programs and cultural programs. These events are aimed at promoting awareness, fostering goodwill, and celebrating the achievements of the seafaring community. The maritime organizations, seafarer associations, shipping companies, and training institutions all come together to engage in the celebrations. In India, the Day of the Seafarer is observed on 25th June.

Day of the Seafarer facts

• The theme for Day of the Seafarer in 2024 will be Navigating the future: safety first!.
  In 2023 the theme was MARPOL at 50 – Our commitment goes on.
• Worldwide, only about 2% to 10% of maritime containers are inspected.
• In 2020, the day took on special significance because of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many seafarers were stranded at sea due to travel restrictions, which prevented crew changes, and led to significant international attention to their plight.
• India ranks 3rd in the world in terms of seafaring professionals, with over 240,000 maritime professionals.
• According to the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the percentage of women seafarers from India was about 7.5% of the seafaring workforce in 2020.

In the News and Trending in India for Day of the Seafarer

Top things to do in India for Day of the Seafarer

• Learn more about the issues seafarers are facing.
• Browse the International Maritime Organization's publications and learn more about the maritime industry and seafarers.
• Take a harbor tour in cities like Mumbai, Chennai, Kochi, or Visakhapatnam to get a glimpse of the busy life of seafarers in India.
• Explore India's rich maritime history and heritage by visiting maritime museums like the National Maritime Museum (Mumbai), INS Kurusura Submarine Museum (Visakhapatnam), and the Maritime Heritage Museum (Goa).