WORLD MARITIME DAY

Introduction

The World Maritime Day is a global observance day, created by The United Nations (UN), via the International Maritime Organization (IMO). It highlights the maritime industry’s contribution towards the world economy, especially in shipping. The aim of the event is to emphasise the significance of shipping safety, maritime security and the marine environment.

The IMO was established with the aim to improve marine safety through international regulations after various countries proposed for a permanent international body to promote Maritime safety more effectively. Only after the UN was established, did the International Maritime Organization (IMO), a specialized UN agency that develops and maintains a comprehensive regulatory framework for shipping, come into existence in 1948. The International Maritime Organization plays a vital role as the international regulatory body for an industry that spans the globe.

The IMO’s original name was the Inter-Governmental Maritime Consultative Organization (IMCO), but it was changed to IMO in 1982. The IMO focuses on areas such as safety, environmental concerns, legal matters, technical co-operation, maritime security and the efficiency of shipping.

IMO aims to achieve the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which are a broad response to the challenges facing the world today increasing world population; climate change; threats to the environment; unsustainable exploitation of natural resources; threats to food security; societal threats posed by organized criminals and violent extremists; and instability leading to mixed migration.

Ultimately, a well-organized shipping sector, working in partnership with a port sector supported by governments, will be a major driver towards global stability and sustainable development for the good of all.

History

The need for an international day for the maritime industry came with the establishment of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), a specialised agency for the purpose. In 1948, the United Nations passed a resolution at an international conference in Geneva to establish the IMO for maintaining a comprehensive and regulatory framework for shipping. In 1982, the international maritime organization (IMO) took the name Intergovernmental Maritime Consultative Organization (IMCO).

The main objective of the IMO is to focus on areas such as safety, environmental issues, legal issues, technical cooperation, maritime safety and maritime efficiency. World Maritime Day was celebrated for the first time on March 17, 1978.

World Maritime day theme 2021

The theme for this year reflects a clear need to raise awareness of seafarersʹ crucial role in world trade and increase their visibility. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the crew change crisis in 2020 has highlighted seafarersʹ exceptional contribution as key and essential workers on the front line of delivering vital goods through a pandemic and in ordinary times. The international community has seen how the ability for shipping services and seafarers to ensure the functioning of the global supply chains has been central to responding to, and eventually overcoming, this pandemic. This could not happen without the professionalism and dedication of the world’s seafarers.

The World Maritime theme for 2021 will provide the opportunity to focus on seafarers as the people at the heart of shipping, while also allowing for activities to delve into specific topics relevant to the role of the seafarer in safety, maritime security, environmental protection and seafarersʹ well-being; and the future of seafaring against a backdrop of increased digitalization and automation. The theme also links to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 on education and training; SDG 8 related to decent work; SDG 9 on innovation and industry, which links to the promotion of a resilient maritime sector; and SDG 5 on gender equality, linked to efforts to promote seafaring as a career for all, including women, in particular.

World Maritime 2021: Significance

According to the United Nations, the international shipping industry consists more than 80 per cent of the aggregate global trade among people and communities across the world.

“Shipping is the most efficient and cost-effective method of international transportation for most goods; it provides a dependable, low-cost means of transporting goods globally, facilitating commerce and helping to create prosperity among nations and people,”

A safe and secure, as well as efficient, shipping industry is the backbone of successful maritime trade for any country and the globe as a whole. It is also capable of containing pollution to a minimum, and is an essential component of any programme for or future sustainable green economic growth in a sustainable manner.