India celebrates National Maritime Day

India is celebrating National Maritime Day on Sunday, remembering the country’s long and proud maritime legacy. April 5 commemorates a historic moment in 1919, when the first Indian-owned ship, S.S. Loyalty, set sail from Mumbai to London. Operated by the Scindia Steam Navigation Company, the voyage symbolized India’s entry into global shipping during colonial rule.

When India gained independence in 1947, the maritime sector was still in its infancy. The country had limited port infrastructure and a small shipping fleet. But in the decades that followed, India steadily strengthened its maritime capabilities. Indian Navy grew into a formidable force safeguarding the nation’s maritime interests.