Awareness Campaigns, Celebrations & Commemorative Events
The Merchant Navy Welfare Board (India) (MNWB), together with its member organizations, Port Welfare Committees, maritime charities, seafarers' missions, and welfare partners, actively organizes and supports a wide range of awareness campaigns, commemorative events, and celebrations dedicated to the welfare, recognition, and development of seafarers.
In collaboration with national and international maritime organizations, including the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the International Maritime Organization (IMO), MNWB promotes and supports key maritime observances such as National Maritime Day, the International Day of the Seafarer, World Maritime Day, and other welfare-focused initiatives aimed at highlighting the invaluable contribution of seafarers to global trade and economic development.
MNWB member organizations actively participate in National Maritime Day Celebration (NMDC) Committees and related organizing bodies at various ports across India. National Maritime Day celebrations are organized under the guidance of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Government of India, while international maritime observances receive support from Hon'ble Ministers, Governors, senior government officials, the Directorate General of Shipping, Port Authorities, maritime institutions, and distinguished representatives from the shipping industry.
Through seminars, conferences, welfare programmes, awareness campaigns, stakeholder consultations, cultural events, and recognition ceremonies, these initiatives promote awareness of seafarers' contributions, strengthen maritime welfare services, encourage cooperation among maritime stakeholders, and support the professional, social, and personal development of seafarers both at sea and ashore.
By bringing together government authorities, port administrations, shipping companies, maritime trade unions, welfare organizations, educational institutions, and the wider maritime community, these campaigns foster collective action and reinforce a shared commitment to enhancing the welfare, dignity, safety, and well-being of seafarers while promoting a stronger and more inclusive maritime sector.
National Maritime Day Celebration by the Government of India
International Seafarers' Days, Sea Sunday, Celebrations and Observations
World Maritime Day Celebration Observed by the
Hon'ble Ministers, His Excellency Governors and DG Shipping Higher Officials & Port Officials
Hon'ble Shri. K. Rammohan Naidu
Hon'ble Union Minister for Aviation, Government of India
Hon'ble Shri Sarbananda Sonowal
Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways
Hon'ble Shri Ramdas Athawale
Hon'ble Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment, Govt. of India
Hon'ble Shri Banwarilal Purohit
Former Governor of Tamil Nadu
Capt. SriDharma Sastha
Port Officer, AP Ports, Govt. of Andhra Pradesh
Captain Dr. Daniel J. Joseph
Deputy Director General of Shipping, Govt. of India
Dr. N. Reuben Paul, Chairman MNWB with International Dignitaries
Dr. Cleopatra Doumbia-Henry
President of WMU & Mother of MLC 2006 of ILO
Mr. Stephen Cotton
General Secretary ITF, London
Catherine Botsas
Stalbulk, Greece
Shri. Rudrendra Tandon IFS
Hon'ble Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs, Govt. of India
Dr. N. Reuben Paul, Chairman and Members of Merchant Navy Welfare Board (India)
with Dr. Malini Shankar, I.A.S., Former Director General of Shipping, Chairperson of the National Shipping Board, Govt. of India & Prof. Maximo Q. Mejia, President of the World Maritime University, Sweden
James, Katerina, Argyro Manoli, Morshedy
Greece, UK, Malta and Egypt — MTI Directors