World Maritime Day 2023: theme, date, history, meaning

World Maritime Day: – On Friday, September 29, 2023, people around the world will celebrate World Maritime Day. The purpose of this particular day is to raise public awareness of the crucial role that shipping plays in global trade. Additionally, it honors the day when the International Maritime Organization (IMO) came into full force. The IMO is a special organization of the United Nations that focuses on maritime transport efficiency, safety, legality and technological collaboration.

World Maritime Day is a global event that celebrates the importance of the maritime industry and recognizes the vital role it plays in international trade, transportation and economic development. This annual celebration brings together governments, organizations and maritime professionals from around the world to discuss and promote various aspects of the maritime sector. Each year, World Maritime Day focuses on a specific theme that highlights key issues and challenges facing the industry.

World Maritime Day

National Maritime Week in India begins on March 30 and concludes with National Maritime Day on April 5. The event, which celebrates India’s significant contribution to the marine sector and its heritage as a seafaring nation, turns 60 this year. Promoting India’s maritime heritage and its ongoing importance in boosting the nation’s economy is greatly aided by National Maritime Day. On this day, we can show our gratitude to the sailors who work tirelessly at sea, often spending months away from their families, to ensure that the business runs smoothly.

Through conferences, seminars and other activities, participants engage in meaningful discussions and share best practices to drive innovation, sustainability and safety in the maritime domain. World Maritime Day serves as a reminder of the immense impact of the shipping industry on our daily lives and encourages collaboration towards a more efficient, safe and environmentally friendly maritime future.

World Maritime Day Overview

Importance of World Maritime Day

Maritime transportation represents more than 80% of global transportation because it is the most reliable, cost-effective and efficient means of transporting most products internationally. It facilitates international trade and promotes economic development. Furthermore, a large number of people depend on the shipping sector to earn a living.

For shipping and marine development to continue supporting future sustainable green economic growth, it is crucial that they are promoted. To address this, the International Maritime Organization was created in 1959 and World Maritime Day has been celebrated annually since 1978. The last Thursday of September is recognized each year as World Maritime Day with the same objective to be achieved in a technologically sophisticated manner. .

Click Here:- Golden Disc Award Winners 2023

Celebration of World Maritime Day 2023

The celebration of World Maritime Day will take place in London, at the IMO headquarters. Apart from that, South Africa is expected to host festivities and related activities. Member countries and other maritime-related international organizations are urged to plan appropriate celebrations for the day. You can participate in these activities individually to learn more about the marine sector and World Sea Day.

To learn about the background and importance of the marine sector, you can visit nautical museums. To offer students the opportunity to learn more about maritime transport, several schools also organize activities or visits. IMO also encourages participation on social media on this day using the hashtags #WorldMaritimeDay and #WorldMaritimeTheme, along with the tag @IMOHQ. Each year, a theme is also chosen for the fervent celebration of World Maritime Day.

History of observing World Maritime Day

India’s National Boating Day has its origins in the nation’s long and illustrious nautical heritage. Indian ships and the nation’s trade with Western Asia are mentioned in the Rig Vedas. Ancient India had several strong marine civilizations, including the Gangaridai Empire, the Chola dynasty, and the Mauryan Empire.

Scandia Steam Navigation Company Ltd.’s SS Loyalty made its first voyage from Mumbai to London in 1919, which is today commemorated as National Maritime Day in India. The second oldest shipping company in India was in the hands of the Scandia clan, based in Gwalior. In 1964, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways established this day to commemorate the maiden voyage of the SS Loyalty as India’s first commercial ship.

Many notable achievements can be found in the marine history of India, including the discovery of a dry dock in Lothal, Gujarat, believed to be the oldest in the world in 2400 BC With Chhatrapati Shivaji as their leader, the Marathas also They became a powerful naval force that resisted British and Portuguese rule for more than 40 years.

World Maritime Day 2023 Theme

World Maritime Day 2023 theme: “MARPOL turns 50: our commitment continues”

The theme of World Marine Day in 2022 was “New technologies for greener shipping”, underscoring the need to help the marine industry green transition for a sustainable future. The topic offers the opportunity to focus on the importance of a sustainable marine industry to create a better, more environmentally friendly post-pandemic future. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in particular SDGs 13 and 14, SDG 9 and SDG 17, were linked to the 2022 theme.

Some interesting facts about the National Maritime Day celebrations

It was celebrated for the first time on April 5, 1964.
For people who have made significant contributions to the Indian maritime sector, an award ceremony is also held on Indian National Maritime Day. The Varuna Award, which consists of a statue of Lord Varuna and a Citation, is the name of this honour.
During the festivities, the “NMD Award for Excellence” will also be presented, which consists of a trophy and a mention. It is introduced to commemorate and recognize individuals for their notable and distinguished contributions to the Indian maritime sector at the senior functional level.
A trophy and a citation will be awarded as part of the “Outstanding Contribution to Maritime Education and Training” award. It is awarded to celebrate and recognize notable individuals who have made ongoing contributions to maritime education and training.
Since gaining independence, the nation has planned a significant increase in shipping. In maritime history, the United Kingdom proposed the International Maritime Organization for marine defense and combating ship-related pollution. India joined this organization as a partner in 1959.
This organization periodically organizes maritime conferences and drafts international maritime treaties.

Conclusion

World Maritime Day is an annual observance celebrating the importance of the maritime industry and its contributions to global trade, transportation and economic development. It serves as a reminder of the vital role that shipping plays in connecting nations and facilitating the movement of goods and people across the world’s oceans. On this day, various events and activities are organized to raise awareness of maritime issues, promote sustainable practices and highlight the importance of seafarers who work tirelessly to keep global trade flowing.

The theme of each World Maritime Day varies from year to year and focuses on different aspects of the maritime industry, such as safety, environmental protection or technological advances. Overall, World Maritime Day serves as a platform to recognize and appreciate the immense impact the maritime sector has on our daily lives and the global economy.

Frequently asked questions about World Maritime Day

Why is World Maritime Day celebrated?

World Maritime Day was established by the United Nations (UN) in collaboration with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to recognize and commemorate the important role of the global maritime industry in the global economy, particularly in shipping. The specific date of this event varies from year to year and between different countries, but always falls within the last week of September.

What day is World Maritime Day celebrated?

World Maritime Day is celebrated every year on the last Thursday of each September.

What is the IMO 2023 regulation?

The IMO GHG Strategy 2023 serves as a blueprint for Member States, outlining the future direction of global shipping, targets to reduce GHG emissions and guiding principles. It also covers possible additional measures in the medium and long term, together with possible timelines and their effects on States.

What is the limit IMO?

The maximum fund transfer limit through IMPS is Rs. 5 lakh. However, it may vary from bank to bank.