FORUM: “Navigating the future: Safety first.” World Maritime Day 2024. The theme provides an opportunity to delve into specific topics and issues relevant to enhancing safety at sea. Below is a non-exhaustive list of topics – some interlinked – deserving of greater consideration throughout this year and beyond. Safety has been at the heart of IMO activities since the Organization was established in 1958. It has always been recognized that the best way of improving safety at sea is through effective international regulations that are followed by all shipping nations globally. The IMO provides the mechanism through which the Governments of countries with an interest in shipping can come together to decide on standards that are to be applied on ships engaged in international voyages. Generally regarded as the most important of all international treaties concerning the safety of merchant ships is the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, better known by its acronym SOLAS, in its successive forms, starting with the first version adopted in 1914 following the Titanic disaster of 1912. Improvements in regulations have sometimes been achieved as a result of shipping disasters that have revealed shortcomings in the system. However, this should not obscure the fact that, in the majority of cases, it is a new technical development, a response to changing circumstances within the industry, or the anticipation of something that may happen in the future that provides the catalyst for the Organization's work on maritime safety. Some pertinent recent examples (by no means an exhaustive list) are making electronic charts mandatory; developing safety requirements for ships operating in polar waters and for the use of alternative fuels; addressing large passenger ship safety; and regulating maritime autonomous surface ships (MASS). The combined expertise available within the Organization that is brought to bear on any standard, guideline, code of practice or any other matter results in a balanced, sensible and effective regulatory regime that applies to nearly 100% of shipping engaged in international trade. No other organization, either international or regional, can muster this unique capability. Shipping transports about 80% of global trade and is the least environmentally damaging mode of transport when its productive value is taken into consideration. Nevertheless, IMO is actively engaged in a global approach to make shipping carbon-neutral by further enhancing ships' energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, through regulation, while at the same time providing technical cooperation and capacity-building activities to support implementation by Member States. Ultimately, improving the safety of ships and reducing their GHG emissions go hand in hand, and both are critical to achieving a sustainable and efficient maritime industry. The transition that shipping is undergoing to meet the challenge to combat climate change will impact shipping and seafarers in many ways. Safety must come first. Besides decarbonization, safety matters in digitalization, automation and fishing vessel safety will be of paramount importance in the current decade and those to come. The 2024 theme, "Navigating the future: safety first!" is therefore most timely. The theme is closely linked to the United Nations (UN) 2030 Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These include affordable and clean energy (SDG 7); industry, innovation and infrastructure (SDG 9); climate action and sustainable use of the oceans, seas and marine resources (SDGs 13 and 14); and the importance of partnerships and implementation to achieve these goals (SDG 17). Follow the conversation with the hashtags #worldMaritimeDay, #ClimateAction, #GreenerShipping.
EVENTS: On September 26th; The World Maritime Day 2024 will be celebrated at IMO HQ. The International Maritime Organization’s Member States, inter-governmental organizations (IGOs), non-governmental organizations (NGOs), the United Nations system and related industry sectors are invited to observe the day. Enhancing maritime safety by ensuring that each link in the chain of responsibility fully meets its obligations is a priority for the global maritime community and critical for future global economic growth and prosperity. Read the concept Note!
WMO-IMO Symposium on Extreme Maritime Weather: The event will focus on `Bridging the Knowledge Gap Towards Safer Shipping’ and will take place on 23-26 September 2024 at IMO Headquarters, 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. IMO invites Member States, intergovernmental organizations in cooperation with IMO, and non-governmental organizations in consultative status with IMO to lighting up landmarks. Please find the photo gallery here. Read more details here.
PUBLICATION: This Law defines many essential issues and rules regarding the implementation of the necessary principles in maritime navigation in terms of general safety, such as monitoring, data collection and inspection matters and also related to international traffic and trade (also specific conditions for maritime facilities, crews, floating objects and vessels which sail/transit/stay through the internal sea waters and the territorial sea in Montenegro Law on maritime navigation safety.
When we think about safety in maritime, the International Convention for the Safety of Life at
Sea (SOLAS) is one of the first things that comes to mind. 2024 marks 50 years since the
treaty was adopted. We can be proud of the crucial role this Convention has played in setting
international safety standards for ship construction, equipment and operation, preventing
maritime disasters and protecting lives.
But we cannot be complacent.
This year's World Maritime Day theme: "Navigating the future: safety first!" calls for collective
effort to ensure we keep pace with the ongoing transformation in shipping.
And at IMO, we must ensure the continued development and implementation of the regulatory
regime to prioritize safety as we steer towards tomorrow.
I encourage all stakeholders to mark this year's World Maritime Day on 26 September and
invite you to join the conversation online using the hashtag #WorldMaritimeDay.
Let us all work to navigate the future with safety first!
Mr. Arsenio Dominguez
Secretary-General, International Maritime Organization.
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