World Maritime Day 2019 Today 26 Sept.2019

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(www.MaritimeCyprus.com) World Maritime Day 2019 is being observed on September 26 to celebrate the maritime industry’s contribution to the global economy. World Maritime Day 2019 emphasizes on the importance of maritime security, marine environment and shipping safety. Many countries like USA, UK, Australia and Canada celebrate World Maritime Day with special events.

World Maritime Day 2019 theme
This year’s World Maritime Day theme is “Empowering Women in the Maritime Community”. Its objective is to provide an opportunity to create awareness about the importance of gender equality. Another objective of this theme is to highlight the contribution of women in the maritime sector.

As per the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), when we empower women, it fuels economic growth across the globe and benefits everyone working in the maritime industry. IMO believes that maritime industry is building a safe, sustainable, secure and clean shipping environment.

Previous years’ themes

In 2018, The World Maritime Day theme was, "IMO 70: Our Heritage – Better Shipping for a Better Future".

In 2017, the theme of World Maritime Day was, "Connecting Ships, Ports and People”.

India's Captain Radhika Menon was the winner of IMO Award for Exceptional Bravery 2016 for Exceptional Bravery At Sea. She rescued seven fishermen from the sinking boat Durgamma, India. Courtesy: IMO

Women in Maritime Industry

  • According to the UN, women represent only 2% of world’s total seafarers. However, 94% of women seafarers are working in the cruise industry.
  • IMO has launched several initiatives to make maritime industry women-friendly.
  • IMO encourages its member states to empower women seafarers to train alongside men in their maritime institutes.
  • IMO started its gender equality programme in 1988 to bring gender equality in the maritime industry.

Background

The first International Maritime Day was observed on March 17, 1978, to mark the date of the IMO convention’s formal entry into force in 1958. Initially, IMO had 21 member states but now the number has been increased to 167 states. Earlier, IMO was known as Inter-Governmental Maritime Consultative Organization (IMCO) but the name was changed in 1982 to International Maritime Organisation (IMO).

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