The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) celebrates World Maritime Day on the last Saturday of September, annually. This year the organisation is celebrating the day on September 30. This day is celebrated to draw the public’s attention towards the maritime’s safety and environment.
International shipping transports more than 80 percent of global trade to peoples and communities all over the world. Shipping is the most efficient and cost-effective method of international transportation for most goods; it provides a dependable, low-cost means of transporting goods globally, facilitating commerce and helping to create prosperity among nations and peoples, as per the UN.
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World Maritime Day 2021: Theme
Every year IMO selects a theme for the day and the theme for this year is – “Seafarers: at the core of shipping’s future.” IMO has chosen to make 2021 a year of action for seafarers, who are facing unprecedented hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic, despite their vital role as key workers for global supply chains.
World Maritime Day: History
In 1948, the UN established a specialized agency that develops and maintains a comprehensive regulatory framework for shipping and named it International Maritime Organisation (IMO). The main aim of the organisation was to focus on maritime safety, environment, legal issues and etc.
For the first time, World Maritime Day was celebrated on March 17, 1978.
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World Maritime Day 2021: How to celebrate?
IMO has organised a special virtual event to celebrate “World Maritime Day 2021.” The webinar would be conducted on Microsoft Teams at 12 noon (BST). The topics for the webinar are – “Diversity, safety, crew change and the environment.” The speaker of the webinar would be Secretary-General Kitack Lim.