(LONDON) — World Maritime Day 2024 will be observed Sept. 26 with the theme “Navigating the Future: Safety First!” Several initiatives will be held by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to commemorate the day, including:
• Symposium on Extreme Maritime Weather: The event will focus on “Bridging the Knowledge Gap Toward Safer Shipping” and will take place on Sept. 23-26 at IMO headquarters in London. Read more details here.
• Lighting up landmarks: IMO headquarters will be bathed in blue light in the evening of the day to promote this year’s theme. The IMO invites member states, intergovernmental organizations in cooperation with IMO, and non-governmental organizations in consultative status with IMO to light up landmarks. Read more details here.
• Social media participation: The IMO invites member states and everyone in the maritime industry to celebrate the day by using the hashtag #WorldMaritimeDay and tagging IMO on social media (X, formerly Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn).
The 2024 theme reflects the IMO’s work to enhance maritime safety and security, in tandem with the protection of the marine environment, while ensuring its regulatory development process safely anticipates the fast pace of technological change and innovation.
This theme will allow the IMO 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 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from ships as the IMO strives to ensure the safety and efficiency of shipping.
Safety has been at the heart of all of the IMO’s activities since the organization was established in 1948. The regulatory framework is continuously evolving as gaps become apparent, and as a result of IMO’s proactive work to anticipate changes needed to accommodate emerging technologies and innovation – a prominent example being the currently ongoing development of a goal-based code for maritime autonomous surface ships (MASS Code).
This year marks 50 years since the adoption of the 1974 SOLAS Convention, the key IMO treaty regulating maritime safety.
The theme is also closely linked to the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and several of the U.N.’s sustainable development goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 7 on ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy by facilitating access to clean energy research and technology; SDG 8 on promoting sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all; SDG 9 on building resilient infrastructure, promoting inclusive and sustainable industrialization and fostering innovation; SDG 13 on taking urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts; and SDG 14 on conserving and sustainably using the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.
Click here to watch a video message on World Maritime Day 2024 from IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez.
World Maritime Day Parallel Event 2024
The World Maritime Day Parallel Event (WMDPE) will be held in Spain from Oct. 20-22.
The event will consist of high-level panel discussions focused on the IMO’s theme for 2024, featuring prominent international speakers who will offer insight into several relevant subjects. The full program will be available in due course. Information on the event, including registration, hotels and the various activities, will be available soon on the official website.
Participants are invited to register in good time via the event’s website. Queries about the event may be sent to wmdpe2024barcelona@transportes.gob.es. Click here for more details.
– International Maritime Organization
