The World Maritime Day was formally celebrated by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) on 28 September 2017.

World Maritime Day is an official United Nations day. Every year, it provides an opportunity to focus attention on the importance of shipping and other maritime activities and to emphasize a particular aspect of IMO’s work.

• “As a UN agency, IMO has a strong commitment to helping achieve the aims of the Sustainable Development Goals. Shipping and ports can play a significant role in helping to create conditions for increased employment, prosperity and stability through promoting maritime trade. The port and maritime sectors can be wealth creators, both on land and at sea,” said IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim in his annual World Maritime Day Message.
• This day also serves as a reminder to all and sundry that a vibrant and sustainable blue economy is a boon to all mankind.

Theme

• “Connecting Ships, Ports and People” is the theme of World Maritime Day this year.
• This theme was chosen by the IMO to provide an opportunity to focus on the many diverse sectors and people involved in the shipping and logistics areas.
• Each World Maritime Day has its own theme
• The maritime sector, which includes shipping, ports and the people that operate them, can and should play a significant role helping Member States to create conditions for increased employment, prosperity and stability ashore through promoting trade by sea; enhancing the port and maritime sector as wealth creators both on land; and through developing a sustainable blue economy at sea.

About IMO

• The IMO is the United Nations specialised agencywith responsibility for the safety and security of shipping and the prevention of marine pollution by ships.
• It has 171 Member States and three Associate Members.
• The IMO’s primary purpose is to develop and maintain a comprehensive regulatory framework for shipping and its remit today includes safety, legal matters, technical co-operation,environmental concerns, maritime security and the efficiency of shipping.
• The IMO’s structure comprises the Assembly, the Council, the Maritime Safety Committee, the Marine Environment Protection Committee, the Legal Committee, the Technical Cooperation Committee, and the secretariat, headed by a Secretary-General.
• Individual governments are encouraged to mark the World Maritime Day, on a date of their choosing but usually in the last week of September.
• Social Media
  Governments, organizations, companies and training institutes, as well as individuals, are encouraged to let IMO know how World Maritime Day is being celebrated, using the hashtag #WorldMaritimeDay@IMOHQ
• World Maritime Day Parallel Event
  The World Maritime Day Parallel Event was held in Panama,on 1-3 October 2017

Sources: The Hindu, IMO website