- IMO chooses to make 2021 a year of action for seafarers.
- The World Maritime Theme for 2021 is “Seafarers: at the core of shipping’s future”.
- It seeks to increase the visibility of seafarers by drawing attention to the invaluable role they play now and will continue to play in the future.
A recent IMO press release reveals that IMO decides to make 2021 memorable for the seafarers.
Extraordinary demands on seafarers
The focus on seafarers comes as the COVID-19 pandemic has placed extraordinary demands on seafarers.
Hundreds of thousands of men and women were stranded on ships for months beyond their original contracts.
They were unable to be repatriated due to national travel restrictions.
A similar number of seafarers are unable to join ships and earn a living.
This crew change crisis, which has been ongoing for nearly a year, is a humanitarian emergency that threatens the safety of shipping.
The world maritime theme throughout the year
Throughout the year, the World Maritime Theme will also put the spotlight on other issues related to the human element of shipping.
It includes the safety and security of life on board ships, seafarers’ well-being.
Besides, the theme also focuses on the importance of ensuring an appropriately trained and qualified workforce, ready to meet the challenges and opportunities of digitalization and automation.
Further profiles will be published throughout the year.
Sustainable development goals
The World Maritime theme for 2021 also links to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Particularly SDG 4 on education and training; SDG 8 related to decent work; SDG 9 on innovation and industry, which links to the promotion of a resilient maritime sector; and SDG 5 on gender equality, linked to efforts to promote seafaring as a career for all, including women, in particular.
The 2021 theme is also a continuation of, and is directly linked to, the 2020 theme “Sustainable Shipping for a Sustainable Planet” to highlight the role that seafarers will play in ensuring the sustainable future for shipping.
2021 World Maritime Day Parallel Event
The 2021 World Maritime Day Parallel Event will be hosted by South Africa.
World Maritime Theme logos (all languages)
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Source: IMO
