‘Day of the Seafarer’ to be held on June 25, campaign for the same will be #IAmOnBoard - With Gender Equality

Chandigarh, June 23, 2019: The Global Shipping Industry celebrates 25th June as the ‘Day of the Seafarer’. This year the day assumes much greater significance as it also marks 100 years of Indian Maritime Shipping’s sailing world-wide over the seven seas, since S.S.Loyalty set sail in 1919. To observe the "Day of the Seafarer", Merchant Navy Officers Association (MNOA) along with the Company of Master Mariners of India (CMMI) (Chandigarh Chapter), Fleet Ship Management (Caravel Group) and the Chandigarh Yachting Association are going to organise an event at the Lake Sports Complex, Sector 1, Chandigarh on June 25(Tuesday) from 5 PM onwards. Maj. Gen. Rambir Singh Mann VSM, ADG NCC will be the Chief Guest. The Guests of Honour are Vice Admiral H. S. Malhi (Retd.) AVSM, VSM and Mr. Tejdeep Singh Saini (PCS), Director Sports, Chandigarh Administration. In keeping with the ‘World Maritime Day’s’ theme this year – ‘Empowering Women in the Maritime Community’, ‘Day of the Seafarer’ is being celebrated with the campaign “I am on board with gender equality”. In the world of shipping, women are only 2% of total seafarers. Their contributions to trade bearing ships are insignificant. The event will discuss ways to increase participation of the fairer sex in the maritime industry. Balbir Singh Mangat, President, MNOA said, “We will address the challenges and opportunities for Maritime women given the current political, social and economic situation. Women seafarers are found on-board ships in all specializations. Women seafarers are considered by International Maritime Organisation (IMO) as an underutilised and an underdeveloped resource and that this could also contribute to the solution for the problem of crew shortage." Ajit Singh, General Secretary, MNOA, said “The event will witness experts discussing the need for improving numbers of women in maritime activities.” Capt. Mohan Singh Judge, Chairman of CMMI (Chandigarh Chapter) said, “Of the 2% women, nearly 94% are on cruise ships and involved in passenger transportation.” Capt. K. S. Rai of Maritime Union of India (MUI) said , “Women seafarers constitute a miniscule percentage of 39.3% of the global manpower of women. This number needs to be pushed up significantly”. Capt. K. J. S. Sujlana of Fleet Ship Management (Caravel Group) stated, “The fear of sexual harassment also discourages women to take up this career. Old-fashioned thoughts and approach towards employment of women as seafarers, social perceptions and fears are misplaced. Entering a male centric environment requires tremendous mental strength, grit and will, which I feel the women of today possess.” The event will see participation of women seafarers who despite odds have made a name for themselves in the maritime fraternity of India. The idea is to motivate young girls to take up Merchant Navy as a career, along-with other opportunities available ashore. Many other allied Maritime Career Avenues will also be discussed at the event.