THE INTERNATIONAL Maritime Organization’s World Maritime Day has kicked off for 2024, with this year’s theme Navigating the future: safety first!
The annual event, this year held on 26 September, is dedicated to the global maritime industry and the challenges it faces, with the IMO holding several special events to commemorate the day, including lighting up various landmarks in member states.
The IMO said this year’s theme reflects its work to enhance maritime safety and security, in tandem with the protection of the marine environment, whilst ensuring its regulatory development process anticipates the fast pace of technological change and innovation.
“This theme will allow us to focus on the full range of safety regulatory implications arising from new and adapted technologies and the introduction of alternative fuels, including measures to reduce GHG emissions from ships,” IMO’s statement said.
The IMO will also hold the second WMO-IMO Symposium with the World Meteorological Organization on extreme maritime weather, aimed at finding possible solutions to minimise the risks created by extreme weather events.
This year also marks the 50th anniversary of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) 1974, the key IMO treaty regulating maritime safety.
AMSA CEO Mick Kinley says this year’s theme highlights that although the maritime sector has evolved, safety remains AMSA’s top priority.
“With 99% of Australia’s international trade carried by ships, we must do everything we can to support the seafarers who keep Australia’s trade moving and to protect our environment from ship sourced damage,” Mr Kinley said.
“Australia is committed to working with other nations at the IMO to develop the highest safety standards, ensuring new technologies create a safer and more secure shipping industry.”
In collaboration with Lighthouses of Australia, AMSA says it aims to celebrate and promote World Maritime Day, with participating maritime sites to undertake activities such as illuminating, including a number of lighthouses across Australia’s east coast.
Lighthouses of Australia Inc’s President Ian Clifford says lighthouses represent strength and resilience and continue to provide guidance to mariners in all conditions.
“While new technology and innovations improve maritime safety, lighthouses remain one of the most iconic symbols of maritime security, they continue to represent steadfastness and guidance as we navigate new eras in maritime safety,” Mr Clifford said.
The WMO-IMO Symposium will conclude today at the IMO headquarters in London, having begun on 23 September, with the event’s focus this year on “Bridging the Knowledge Gap Towards Safer Shipping”.
