How to create ‘better shipping for a better future’ was the key theme running throughout the 2018 IMO World Maritime Day Parallel Event, held in Szczecin, Poland, on 13-15 June. The event was attended by representatives from the maritime community in Poland and other countries, including government representatives and representatives from the maritime industry, non-governmental organizations and academia.
In his keynote address, IMO Secretary-General, Kitack Lim, said:
IMO’s heritage for 70 years has been to drive improvements in shipping to achieve a better world today. But we cannot rest on past achievements. Our challenge for the years to come remains the same: to create better shipping – for a better future.
As part of the event, Transport and maritime Ministers/Vice-Ministers from 13 countries, who were attending the event, took part in a roundtable discussion with IMO Secretary-General Lim. Discussions focused on green shipping, smart shipping and capacity-building.
Ministers highlighted the historic MEPC 72 adoption of the initial IMO strategy on the reduction of GHG emission from shipping and looked ahead to the next stage, considering candidate measures to implement and achieve the strategy. They also emphasised that the forthcoming 2020 sulphur cap would not be delayed and that this was an important measure for human health and the environment.
There was an exchange of views on the “fourth industrial revolution”, as it impacts the maritime sector, including increasing digitalization, the internet of things and artificial intelligence. IMO is already addressing related matters, including maritime autonomous surface ships and cyber security. Ministers also discussed and highlighted the continued need, now and in the future, for capacity building and technical cooperation, to ensure global effective implementation of IMO standards.
Participants also heard about the Polish maritime economy and visited the President Lech Kaczyński lng Terminal in Świnoujście and the Szczecin Świnoujście Seaport.
In addition, delegates attended a reception aboard the Polish sail training ship Dar Młodzieży just before it departed on a round-the-world cruise to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the independence of Poland, another theme running through the parallel event.
During the closing ceremony, a commemorative plaque was presented to Mr. Gróbarczyk, Minister of Maritime Economy and Inland Navigation of Poland, by Secretary-General Lim.
The World Maritime Day Parallel Event flag was handed over by Mr. Gróbarczyk, to Rear Admiral Mario Germán Rodríguez Viera, Maritime General Director, Colombian National Navy. Colombia will host the 2019 Parallel Event.
