**Executive Summary**
On 6 April 2026, during the 63rd National Maritime Day Celebrations in Mumbai, the Shipping Corporation of India Ltd. (SCI) and its Chairman and Managing Director, Capt. B. K. Tyagi, were recognized with multiple prestigious awards. Capt. Tyagi received the Sagar Samman “Varuna Award,” India’s highest maritime honor, while SCI was recognized as an outstanding employer and ship-owning company. The document highlights the government’s ₹70,000 crore support package and the industry’s shift toward global shipbuilding collaborations.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Awards and Honors**
* **Sagar Samman “Varuna Award”:** Conferred upon Capt. B. K. Tyagi (CMD of SCI) for his exemplary leadership and sustained, outstanding contributions to the Indian maritime sector.
* **Corporate Recognitions:** SCI received awards for "Outstanding Indian Employers of Seafarers" and "Outstanding Indian Ship Owning Companies."
* **Legacy Reaffirmation:** These honors validate SCI’s status as India’s national carrier and its commitment to operational excellence and seafarer welfare.
**Industry Collaboration and Growth**
* **Collaborative Ecosystem:** Success is attributed to the collective efforts of SCI employees and support from the Directorate General of Shipping, maritime professional bodies, industry associations, unions, and classification societies.
* **Economic Drivers:** The maritime sector is identified as a critical driver for India’s economic growth and global trade.
* **Shipbuilding Advancements:** Indian shipyards are increasingly collaborating with globally renowned partners to strengthen domestic capabilities.
**Government Support and Policy**
* **Financial Support:** A ₹70,000 crore support package has been initiated by the Government of India to promote shipping and shipbuilding.
* **Viksit Bharat:** Enabling policy measures and forward-looking initiatives are intended to accelerate India’s journey toward the "Viksit Bharat" vision during the "Amrit Kaal" period.
**Impact Analysis**
**Capt. B. K. Tyagi and SCI Management**
**Impact**
Recipients of the highest maritime honors, reinforcing their leadership status and reputation within the global maritime community.
**Action Required**
Maintain the current trajectory of leadership and operational excellence to justify the national recognition.
**Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) Employees**
**Impact**
The awards serve as a recognition of the collective efforts of the entire workforce, both ashore and at sea.
**Action Required**
Continue consistent professional contributions to sustain the company's position as a leader in service to the nation.
**Indian Shipbuilding and Maritime Industry**
**Impact**
Directly affected by the ₹70,000 crore government support package and the push for global collaborations.
**Action Required**
Leverage government policy measures and international partnerships to enhance domestic shipbuilding capacity and efficiency.
**Maritime Stakeholders (Unions, Associations, and Societies)**
**Impact**
Acknowledged as vital components of a collaborative ecosystem that enables the success of the national carrier.
**Action Required**
Continue providing consistent support and collaboration to drive the maritime sector’s growth during the “Amrit Kaal.”
Key Entities Referenced
Shipping Corporation of India Ltd. (SCI): India's national carrier and a leading maritime entity recognized for excellence in ship owning and seafarer employment.
Sagar Samman 'Varuna Award': The highest recognition in the Indian maritime sector, awarded for sustained and outstanding contributions to the industry.
Capt. B. K. Tyagi: Chairman and Managing Director of SCI, conferred with India's highest maritime honor for his leadership in the sector.
₹70,000 crore support package: A government-led financial initiative aimed at promoting and strengthening the domestic shipping and shipbuilding industry.
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
SCI recognized with multiple honours at National
Maritime Day 2026
SCI CMD conferred India's highest maritime honour - the
prestigious Sagar Samman “Varuna Award”
Posted On: 06 APR 2026 7:59PM by PIB Mumbai
: Mumbai, 6 April 2026
The Chairman and Managing Director of Shipping Corporation of India Ltd. (SCI),
Capt. B. K. Tyagi, has been conferred the prestigious Sagar Samman Varuna Award,
the highest recognition in the Indian maritime sector, on the occasion of the 63rd
National Maritime Day Celebrations. The Shipping Corporation of India Ltd. has also
been conferred two distinguished recognitions at the same forum -
'Outstanding Indian Employers of Seafarers' and 'Outstanding Indian Ship Owning
Companies'.
The Varuna Award, being the highest recognition in the Indian maritime sector, is a
testament to sustained and outstanding contributions of the highest order to the
Indian maritime industry. The conferment of this honour underscores Capt. Tyagi’s
exemplary leadership and long-standing contribution to the sector.
On the occasion, Capt. Tyagi expressed his gratitude and attributed this honour to
the collective efforts of the SCI family ashore and at sea. He further conveyed his
gratitude and appreciation to the Directorate General of Shipping, and key
stakeholders across the maritime ecosystem, including the, maritime professional
bodies (CMMI, IMEI, INA(India) and BES), industry associations (FOSMA, MASSA,
SAI, and INSA), as well as unions (MUI, NUSI, and FSUI), and Classification
Societies (IRClass, DNV-GL, ABS, Lloyd’s Register, ClassNK, and Bureau Veritas) for
their consistent support. He noted that this collaborative ecosystem has enabled SCI
to continuously emerge as a leader in service to the nation.
On the occasion, Capt. Tyagi, while receiving the award, highlighted the critical role
of the maritime sector in driving the nation’s economic growth and global trade. He
acknowledged the Government of India’s unwavering support in strengthening the
sector through progressive and enabling policy measures, including initiatives to
promote shipping and shipbuilding, the ₹70,000 crore support package for the
industry.
He further noted that the future of the Indian maritime industry is highly promising,
with Indian shipyards increasingly collaborating with globally renowned shipyards to
strengthen domestic shipbuilding capabilities. He added that such forward-lookingmeasures are significantly accelerating India’s journey towards Viksit Bharat during
the Amrit Kaal, and expressed confidence that with continued support from the
Government, the “Amrit Kaal” for the maritime sector has already begun.
The honours reaffirm SCI’s enduring legacy as India’s national carrier and its
continued contribution to the country’s maritime growth, operational excellence, and
commitment to seafarer welfare.
PIB Mumbai | Sriyanka Chatterjee/ Priti Malandkar
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