World Maritime Day to be observed on Thursday

This Thursday, September 29, will be celebrated as World Maritime Day.

The day, which forms part of Jamaica’s shipping industry’s week-long Maritime Awareness Week, is observed annually on the last Thursday in September to recognise the work of workers in the international maritime community.

Each year, a theme is selected by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) which reflects issues that are of great significance to the sector and the global community. In acknowledging the importance of developing a sustainable maritime sector, the IMO selected ‘New technologies for greener shipping’ as this year’s topic.

It also highlights the need to build back a better and greener post-pandemic world, said IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim, when the theme was announced in July 2021.

“IMO actively supports a greener transition of the shipping sector into a sustainable future, and showcases maritime innovation, research and development, and the demonstration and deployment of new technologies,” Lim said.

“In order to achieve these objectives, partnerships are key, as they allow all parties involved to share and distribute information on best practices and to access resources and general know-how in support of the transition of the maritime sector into a greener and more sustainable future. This theme will allow for a coordinated outreach and communications campaign by all stakeholders to highlight IMO initiatives to make shipping greener,” he concluded.

Jamaica’s maritime sector plays a key role in the country’s economy through the promotion of trade by sea and developing a sustainable blue economy.