Press Notice
05 September 2006
World Maritime Day
info@worldmaritimeday.com
Sea’s the Future
World Maritime Day 28 September 2006
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. The historic ship Wellington, berthed between Blackfriars and Waterloo bridges, will be the venue for the celebrations to mark shipping’s contribution on World Maritime Day.
The event will showcase the contribution made by UK based maritime institutions in support of the international shipping industry and to highlight the vital role of shipping in world trade. 34 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.
Mr Efthimios Mitropoulos, Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization, the only United Nations agency to be headquartered in London, will open the event. Also in attendance will be HRH The Princess Royal Princess Anne, the Lord Mayor of London, Sir Jonathon Band the First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral, John Astbury Chief Executive of the Maritime and Coast Guard Agency, and Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, who founded easyJet and has had a very long association with shipping.
IMO Secretary-General Mitropoulos said that IMO was pleased to be associated with the event, which along with other events planned across the globe to mark World Maritime Day, would serve to raise the profile of shipping and its role in world trade and development.
IMO’s theme for this year’s World Maritime Day is “Technical Co-operation: IMO’s response to the 2005 World Summit”, which was chosen to focus on the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) adopted by the United Nations as the world community’s response to challenges such as hunger, disease and environmental degradation.
“Maritime activity has a key role to play in meeting the Millenium Development Goals, for shipping not only moves the world's burgeoning trade, but can also contribute substantially to sustainable development, while international commerce promotes production, job creation and greater socio-economic prosperity. And the combination of all these has, undoubtedly, the potential to lift people from hunger and poverty and also eradicate life-threatening diseases”. Efthimios E. Mitropoulos, Secretary-General
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Notes to editors:
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 28 September is being hosted by the Honourable Company of Master Mariners and the International Maritime Pilots Association, in partnership with the International Maritime Organization.
Timetable for 28 September 2006
10.00 a.m. Event opened by Mr Efthimios Mitropoulos, Secretary General of the International Maritime Organization
10.00 – 12.00 Rolling presentations and displays around the vessel including ship simulators, dynamic screen showing all ship movements around the UK, information on the variety of careers available at sea and on shore and two freight containers filled with interactive displays. On the river there will be a variety of working vessels and there will be the opportunity to speak to the crews. In attendance will be: the First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Sir Jonathon Band and John Astbury, Chief Executive of the Maritime and Coast Guard Agency.
12.00 – 14.00 Lunch in the company of the Lord Mayor of London, Stelios and representatives of key shipping organisations. The number of places is limited for the lunchtime period.
14.00 – 1600 Princess Anne will be in attendance. Rolling presentations and displays continue as above.
For further information, including a list of participants, please see www.wordmaritimeday.com
To confirm attendance please contact
The World Maritime Day Team
HQS Wellington
Victoria Embankment
London
WC2R 2PN
Phillip Belcher 020 7836 8179
info@worldmaritimeday.com