The global maritime community recently convened in Barcelona, Spain for the World Maritime Day Parallel Event to discuss the challenges and opportunities in the shipping industry amid rapid transitions. Key topics included the need for robust safety measures to protect seafarers dealing with new technologies and alternative fuels as part of the decarbonization drive. Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization, Mr. Arsenio Dominguez, emphasized the importance of safety and sustainability, highlighting the evolution of safety regulations to focus on seafarers and their training.
The event also featured discussions on the future of shipping, including panels on maritime safety, new technologies and fuels, seafarer preparedness, digitalization, and automation. Panellists stressed the significance of seafarer training in light of decarbonization efforts requiring new technology, alternative fuels, and new skills to handle them safely. The discussions reflected key regulatory developments in the industry, such as proposed measures to reduce GHG emissions from ships and progress towards an IMO digitalization strategy and Code for autonomous ships.
Lastly, the United Arab Emirates was announced as the host of the next World Maritime Day Parallel Event in 2025, under the theme “Our Ocean; Our Obligation; Our Opportunity.” This aligns with the UAE’s commitment to protecting ocean resources for economic growth and environmental protection. The event aims to celebrate World Maritime Day among a broader international audience and will focus on the safe and sustainable use of ocean resources.
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