‘All Women Officers’ Sailing’ aboard SCI Tanker m.t. Swarna Krishna – A historic and landmark achievement of Shipping Corporation of India Ltd.

The Shipping Corporation of India Ltd. (SCI), as a part of its ongoing Diamond Jubilee
celebrations and also to commemorate the International Women’s Day on 8th March, 2021
achieved another feat when Shri Mansukh Mandaviya, Hon’ble Minister of State (I/c) for
Ports, Shipping & Waterways, virtually flagged off the “All Women Officers’ Sailing” on
MT Swarna Krishna – SCI’s product carrier from JNPT Liquid Berth Jetty on 6th March 2021.

He acknowledged the contribution and sacrifice of the women seafarers who acted as the
Indian ambassadors to the global maritime community. He applauded the Officers, majority
of whom hailed from the Indian Hinterlands, for choosing seafaring as a career and admired
their determination for daring to take on the difficult profession regardless of the hardships,
proving that they were unstoppable. Recounting the incredible feats achieved by several
seafaring women in the past, he stated that women in the Indian maritime sector ‘had
arrived’ to take on the challenges, excel in their performance and make the nation proud. He
congratulated SCI’s efforts in pioneering the women’s integration into the sector and
commended each of the 14 Lady Officers for their courage and valor; and also wished them
a successful voyage and many more voyages ahead.

Dr. Sanjeev Ranjan, Secretary (Shipping), Shri Amitabh Kumar, DG Shipping, Shri Rajiv
Jalota, Chairman, MbPT and Shri Sanjay Sethi, Chairman, JNPT, who attended the ceremony
virtually commended the efforts of the women seafarers. Capt. Suneha Ghadpande and
CEO, Ms. Divya Jatin Jain, were also present with Officers of the Team.
The Captain and CEO of m.t. Swarna Krishna narrated the experiences of their maritime
career and the requisites for sustenance and excelling in the sector. A few members of the
Team Swarna Krishna also spoke virtually.
A silver plaque was presented by Shri Mandaviya to the Captain of m.t. Swarna Krishna, as
is customary in recognition of the Team Swarna Krishna’s valour and courage to commence
upon the voyage from Mumbai to Vadinar, a ‘historic’ and ‘first ever’ sailing, commanded
and managed wholly by Women Officers on board on the eve of IWD 2021.
Chairman, JNPT, spoke about the paradigm shift in the perception of the sector from a ‘male
dominated, to an ‘inclusive’ one which would augur well for the Industry and congratulated
SCI on achieving the same. Chairman, MbPT, joined in wishing SCI and Team Swarna
Krishna for the feat accomplished which would set an example for others to follow.
DG, Shipping, while acknowledging that an “All Women Officers’ sailing” had been an
intense desire of the Indian Shipping Regulatory Authority for a long time also considering
the meritorious women officers serving on the Indian fleet some of whom he was familiar
with. He said it for sure was not an easy task to have been accomplished and commended
the efforts of SCI and congratulated Mrs. H.K. Joshi, CMD, SCI, in particular, for executing