26.09.2007

World Maritime Day

World Maritime Day 27 September 2007 -
Central London landmark hosts international celebration of shipping

Over 90% of all of the world’s trade is carried by ships. From computers to clothes, food to oil, shipping is vital to the global economy.  Shipping is the most environmentally friendly mode of transportation and the industry offers a wealth of careers both at sea and ashore.

On September 27th 2007 the historic ship Wellington, berthed between Blackfriars and Waterloo bridges, will be the venue for the celebrations to mark shipping’s contribution to society on World Maritime Day.

The event will showcase the positive steps taken by UK based maritime institutions in reducing their impact upon the marine environment. UK based organisations have taken the lead in this area and so this highlights the importance of this sector to UK Plc. The whole of the maritime industry, for example, contributed over £37 billion to the UK’s economy in 2006.

38 leading shipping industry and associated international organisations will promote the latest technological developments and visitors, including young people from local schools, will get a chance to meet key players in the industry, drive ship simulators and gain a unique insight into the transportation of goods by sea.

Attendees include HRH The Duke of York,  the shipping minister, the Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization, the only United Nations agency to be headquartered in London, the Lord Mayor of London, the Lord Mayor of Westminster and the Chief Executive of the Maritime and Coast Guard Agency.

Under the banner Sea’s the future, World Maritime Day celebrates the vital role played by shipping in world trade and development. The event on 27 September is being hosted by the Honourable Company of Master Mariners and the International Maritime Pilots Association, in partnership with the International Maritime Organization. (The Honourable Company of Master Mariners is a City of London livery company which provides free guidance on all matters relating to maritime policy and practice to politicians, regulators and the general public. The International Maritime Pilots' Association is a professional, non-profit making body concerned with promoting professional standards of pilotage worldwide. The International Maritime Organisation is the only UK based United Nations agency. It has the responsibility to provide machinery for cooperation among Governments in the field of governmental regulation and practices relating to technical matters of all kinds affecting shipping engaged in international trade).

For more information visit the website (opens in a new window).

Participating organisations:

1. Apostleship of the Sea
2. BIMCO
3. British & International Sailors' Society
4. BWEA
5. CIRM
6. Fleetwood Nautical College
7. Honourable Company of Master Mariners
8. INMARSAT
9. Institute of Marine Engineering Science and Technology
10. INTERCARGO
11. International Chamber of Shipping
12. The International Marine Contractors Association
13. International Shipping Federation
14. International Maritime Organization
15. International Maritime Pilots Association
16. INTERTANKO
17. ITOPF
18. London Fire Brigade
19. London Nautical School
20. Marine Society and Sea Cadets
21. Maritime and Coastguard Agency
22. Maritime London
23. Mission to Seafarers
24. National Maritime Museum
25. National Sea Training Centre
26. Nautical Institute
27. Nautilus UK
28. Port of London Authority
29. Priory CofE School
30. Royal Institute of Navigation
31. Royal National Lifeboat Institution
32. Royal Navy
33. Royal Yachting Association
34. SeaVision UK
35. Trinity House
36. UK P&I Club
37. Videotel UK
38. Warsash Maritime Academy