Directorate General of Shipping celebrates 75 glorious years of shaping India’s Maritime Future
MUMBAI: The Directorate General of Shipping (DGS), Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, marked its Platinum Jubilee with a grand celebration at the Bharat Ratnam-Mega Common Facilitation Centre, SEEPZ SEZ, Mumbai on Thursday, September 4, 2025. The landmark event brought together government leaders, industry stalwarts, academicians, international representatives, and maritime professionals to commemorate 75 years of nation-building through sea and service.
The day-long celebration unfolded in four phases, beginning with the opening of the “75 Years of Sea and Service” Maritime Exhibition, inaugurated by Shri. Rajiv Jalota, IAS, Former Chairman Mumbai Port Authority, Former Director General of Shipping and Secretary to the Government of India and Capt. (Dr). Ashutosh V Apandkar, Principal, TS Rehman, showcasing India’s rich maritime heritage and the evolution of the shipping sector. Retired officers, DGS staff, and their families walked through history, witnessing rare visuals, archival records, and innovations that have steered India’s maritime growth.
The Platinum Jubilee Ceremony was graced by Shri Shantanu Thakur, Hon’ble Minister of State of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, along with senior dignitaries such as Shri Shyam Jaganathan, IAS, Director General of Shipping, Capt. B.K Tyagi, Chairman & Managing Director, Shipping Corporation of India, Shri Manoj Kumar, IRS, Chief Vigilance Officer, Directorate General of Shipping and Shri Manoj Kumar, Director (Mails & BD), Postal Services.
Highlights of the evening included the launch of a special commemorative postal cover and customized My Stamp, the release of a coffee table book on India’s maritime journey, and the screening of a documentary trailer capturing the evolution of DGS since its inception in 1949.
To honor excellence in the sector, the DG Shipping 75th Anniversary Awards recognized contributions across diverse categories such as the NauSakti Women in Maritime Excellence Award, Harit Samudra – Green Shipping Pioneer Award, Digital Naukik – Tech Transformation Award, and the Lifetime Achievement Award, among others.
Shri Shantanu Thakur, Hon’ble Minister of State of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, added: “The Directorate General of Shipping has been the backbone of India’s maritime growth, supporting our seafarers, regulating the industry, and ensuring global standards. As we mark this Platinum Jubilee, our commitment is to further strengthen India’s role in global shipping, foster innovation, and create new opportunities for our youth in the maritime sector. Together, we will steer India towards becoming a world-class maritime hub.”
Shri Shyam Jaganathan, IAS, Director General of Shipping, said: “The Directorate General of Shipping is not merely celebrating 75 years of existence, but 75 years of service, resilience, and leadership built on India’s 5,000-year-old maritime heritage. From ensuring safe seas to embracing digitalization and green shipping, our journey has been one of constant adaptation to global challenges. As we transition towards a Directorate of Maritime Affairs, our mandate will expand to shipbuilding, inland navigation, offshore operations, and maritime sustainability. Guided by Maritime India Vision 2030 and Amrit Kaal 2047, we aim to double India’s share of the global seafaring pool, rise among the top five shipbuilding nations, and develop world-class maritime training. This Platinum Jubilee is a tribute to our officers, seafarers, training institutes, and industry partners whose dedication has carried us this far and whose passion will power India’s rise as a global maritime leader.”
Adding to the spirit of celebration, the event featured cultural performances under the theme “Echoes from the Sea”, honoring the courage, resilience, and innovation of India’s seafarers and maritime workforce.
The Jubilee concluded with a gala dinner, where dignitaries, retired officers, and maritime professionals came together to reflect on the past and envision the next chapter of India’s maritime growth.
