Maritime trade and the future

23.9.2015 - Did you know that each year roughly 10 billion tons of commodities are carried across the oceans? In 2013, 780 million tons were shipped to the ports of Antwerp and Rotterdam alone. In our global economy, maritime trade is indispensable. Every day, thousands of ships sail the seas bringing large amounts of cargo in a safe and cost effective manner from continent to continent.

In the coming years the demand for shipping will only increase. The growing international trade economies are increasingly interdependent and seafaring offers the only option to transport cargo in a relatively inexpensive and efficient way across great distances. Sustainable shipping is essential for the growth of the world economy.

If the world is counting on a safe, sound and efficient shipping, than maritime trade needs knowledgeable and well-trained sailors. Modern shipping requires highly technical skills, in addition to more traditional seafaring skills one associates with the profession. That is why the theme of this year World Maritime Day is ‘Maritime Education and Training.’

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has been campaigning for maritime safety, education and training for many years. In 1978 the IMO STCW Convention proposed setting out the basic requirements for maritime training. Together with the World Maritime University (WMU) and the IMO International Maritime Law Institute (IMLI), the IMO guarantees a high standard of training, administration and staffing.

In the future, the role of maritime training will only become more important. Maritime transport must meet the changing security requirements, environment issues and adhere to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which will be adopted over the weekend and go into force with the new year. We could thus say that the future of shipping is now being shaped in maritime schools around the world.

World Maritime Day is celebrated September 24th this year at the IMO headquarters in London and throughout the world the maritime organizations are holding events to mark the day. An overview of the different activities can be found on the official Facebook page of the IMO.

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Related Links:

•   World Maritime Day (Website)
•   The International Maritime Organization (Official Website)
•   The International Maritime Organization (Official Facebook Page)
•   World Maritime University (Official Website)
•   IMO International Maritime Law Institute (IMLI)
•   United Nations International Observances (Website)
•   IMO Briefing: “IMO Secretary-General launches 2015 World Maritime Day theme: “Maritime education and training” at World Maritime University”
•   Sustainable Development Goals (Official Website)

Photo Credits:

•   Cover: UN/IMO
•   Second: UN/IMO