World maritime day is celebrated to focus on the importance of shipping safety, maritime security, and marine environment and also to draw attention towards particular aspect of International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) work. On this day, IMO’s Secretary-General gives a special message, which is backed up by a discussion paper on the selected subject in more detail.
Theme this Year
This year, World Maritime Day 2020 will be held on the theme, Sustainable Shipping for a Sustainable Planet. The purpose of this theme is to provide opportunities for leaders from various sectors, including shipping, to reflect on the work done so far, and also on the steps required to be taken for a sustainable future. This will also provide an opportunity to raise awareness of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Purpose of Celebration
World Maritime Day is celebrated in many countries across the globe, including United Kingdom, United States, Australia, and Canada. On this day, special activities and events are organized ranging from seminars, conferences, meetings and also trips to maritime museum to make students aware about significance of maritime industry in sculpting world history and also its importance in world trade.
World Maritime Day 2020 will be celebrated at International Maritime Organization (IMO) headquarters on 24th September 2020. Its parallel event will be celebrated in Durban, South Africa in the last week of October.
Sustainable Shipping for a Sustainable Planet
In accordance with this theme, the shipping industry, with the support of the IMO regulatory framework, has already started working to make changes towards sustainable future. IMO has also taken measures and will continue more development to cut greenhouse gas emissions, reduce sulphur content of ships’ fuel oil, implementation of Ballast Water Management Convention, reduction of marine litter, meet the challenges of the digitalization of shipping and also to enhance the participation of women in the maritime community.
Even in this critical situation of COVID-19, shipping has continued to transport more than 80% of world trade, vital medical supplies, food and other basic goods that are critical for the COVID-19 response and recovery.
