The theme of World Maritime Day 2024, 'Sailing the Future, Safety First', calls for action for maritime safety

Every year on the last Thursday of September, the global maritime community celebrates World Maritime Day. This year's theme is "Sailing the Future, Safety First!", which aims to highlight the importance of maritime safety in a rapidly changing environment.

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) and its history

Founded in 1948, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for setting and maintaining international maritime safety and pollution prevention standards. The establishment of the IMO marks a new era for the global maritime community to improve maritime safety and environmental protection through international cooperation.

50 Years of the SOLAS Convention

The year 2024 marks the 50th anniversary of the adoption of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS). The SOLAS Convention was first adopted in 1914 after the Titanic disaster, and the current version was adopted on November 1, 1974. The convention covers international safety standards for the construction, equipment and operation of ships and aims to prevent maritime disasters and protect lives.

The Challenges of Modern Maritime Security

With the rapid development of technology, the maritime industry faces new challenges and opportunities. The transition to automation, digitalization and green energy is changing the face of the maritime industry. New technologies and designs are not only helping to combat climate change, but also creating new challenges for maritime security. For example, crew members using new green fuels need to receive new training, regulation of automated ships requires new standards, and cybersecurity has become an important issue.

A joint effort from the global maritime community

In his speech, IMO Secretary General Arsenio Dominguez said: "We are proud of the key role the SOLAS Convention has played over the past 50 years, but we cannot be complacent. World Maritime Day calls on the global maritime community to work together to ensure that we can keep pace with the ongoing transformation of the shipping industry."

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also stressed: "Today, the maritime industry is transforming towards greater digitalization, automation and decarbonization. New technologies and designs have made important contributions to climate action. I look forward to the shared commitment of regulators, seafarers and ship operators."

Celebrations

To celebrate World Maritime Day, IMO headquarters will be lit up in blue that evening to promote this year's theme. IMO also invites member states, intergovernmental organizations working with IMO and non-governmental organizations in advisory status to join in lighting up landmarks.