National Maritime Day is celebrated on April 5 of every year.
The day aims to spread awareness in supporting safe and environmentally sound commerce between the continents across the world.
The theme of 2019 celebrations are "Indian Ocean-An Ocean of opportunity".
The day was first celebrated on April 5, 1964.
Indian shipping was first started on April 5, 1919 when SS Loyalty, the first ship of The Scindia Steam Navigation Company travelled from Mumbai to London.
In Tamilnadu, VO Chidambaram registered his Swadeshi Shipping Company in October 1906. SS Galia was its first ship.