World Maritime Day

During this last week of September Malta joins the international maritime community to celebrate World Maritime Day. The Assembly of the International Maritime Organisation had instituted this annual event to focus the attention of the international maritime community on IMO activities in its pursuit of the twin objectives of safer shipping and cleaner oceans. This year, World Maritime Day highlights the theme Optimum Maritime Safety Demands a Focus on People.

The Minister for Transport and Ports has sent a message to Mr William A. O'Neil, the Secretary General of the International Maritime Organisation, paying tribute to the Organisation and pledging the continuing support and commitment of Malta towards the work of IMO particularly this year when focus is set on the people who are the basis of the maritime industry today.

Malta has been a member of IMO since 1966 having acceded, in June of that same year, to the relative UN Convention establishing this organisation. Malta has also acceded to all the major IMO conventions and in line with its responsibilities as an international maritime centre, particularly as one of the top six shipping registers in the world, is an active participant at IMO.

Malta acknowledges the important role IMO has in ensuring safer shipping and cleaner oceans and pays tribute to this organisatation for its achievements. At a time when focus is set on the people who are the very basis of the maritime industry, Malta is proud to be so closely associated with two IMO centres, REMPEC and IMLI, which aim towards ensuring that maritime administrations have a well developed and a suitably trained human resource.

On this day Malta reiterates its pledge for a full commitment towards safety of life at sea and the protection of the marine environment.