World Maritime Day 2024 will be celebrated tomorrow under the theme “Navigating the future: safety first!” This theme highlights the efforts of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to enhance maritime safety and security while also protecting the marine environment. It emphasizes the need for the regulatory development process to adapt safely to the rapid technological changes and innovations in the industry.
The IMO has stated that this theme will draw global attention to the safety regulatory implications stemming from emerging technologies and alternative fuels, including measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from ships. The organization aims to maintain and potentially enhance the safety and efficiency of shipping, ensuring the seamless flow of seaborne international trade.
Established in 1948, the IMO is the United Nations body responsible for overseeing global shipping operations. Safety has been a fundamental focus of the organization’s activities since its inception.
Notably, 2024 marks the 50th anniversary of the 1974 Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Convention, a pivotal treaty regulating maritime safety. IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez remarked in a video message that the SOLAS Convention has played a vital role in setting international safety standards for ship construction, equipment, and operation, which has helped prevent maritime disasters and save lives. However, he emphasized that there is no room for complacency, as the theme “Navigating the future: safety first!” calls for a collective commitment to keeping pace with the shipping industry’s ongoing transformation.
In Fiji, to commemorate World Maritime Day 2024, the Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji has launched an essay contest for high school students in Years 9-13. The winners will be announced during the celebrations in Suva on Friday.