The Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST) is one of the key international organisations playing an active role in London's celebrations on board the historic ship HQS Wellington, berthed between Blackfriars and Waterloo bridges, to mark World Maritime Day (28 September 2006).
"As Mr Efthimios Mitropoulos, Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization recently wrote in a letter to the press: 'despite maritime trade having increased by more than 50% in the past 10 years, shipping is the invisible, unsung hero of our time'," explains Keith Read CB, Chief Executive of IMarEST. "It is therefore fitting that in London, World Maritime Day celebrations should focus on shipping's massive contribution to the global economy. We are delighted to be actively involved in the celebrations that will see the latest technological developments promoted to a wide range of visitors including young people from local schools - let us hope that some of them find the day so stimulating that they will opt for a career in the maritime industry! Shipping offers them a wealth of careers both at sea and ashore."
IMO Secretary-General Mitropoulos will open the London-based event (IMO is the only United Nations agency to be headquartered in London). HRH The Princess Royal (IMarEST's most recent Honorary Fellow) will be in attendance as will the Lord Mayor of London; First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Sir Jonathon Band; John Astbury Chief Executive of the Maritime and Coast Guard Agency; and Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, who founded easyJet and has had a long association with shipping.
"IMarEST's President, David Cobb CB and other senior Fellows and Members of the Institute have been invited on board Wellington for the celebrations," explains Keith Read. "The Institute will also have a stand in the exhibition area to showcase the importance of shipping and the valuable contribution that the industry makes."
The IMarEST is also exhibiting at SMM, Hamburg (22-29 September 2006), and a new supplement, 'Safety of Shipping' is being launched as part of the celebrations of World Maritime Day. With 42,000 visitors from all over the world and more than 1,400 exhibitors, SMM Hamburg is the leading international trade fair for shipping and technology sector.
The 'Safety of Shipping' supplement aptly features an interview with IMO Secretary-General Mitropoulos about the latest issues affecting safety and security in the maritime environment. Other features include an overview of safety statistics; another on the critical role that satcom plays in safety; immersion suits, evacuation, classification and voyage data recorders are all highlighted in the 60 page supplement, which also includes A-Z listings of key safety manufacturers and service providers.
Ship's equipment, installations and fire protection arrangements are more extensive and highly regulated than ever before. The fundamental knowledge needed by ship's personnel has increased accordingly. 'Fire Safety at Sea' is designed to meet that need and is aimed at ship's personnel graduates, superintendents and others concerned with fire safety. During World Maritime Day there will be a special 20% discount on the usual purchase price (for members and non-members alike).
The overall theme of the IMO-designated day globally is 'Technical Co-operation: IMO's response to the 2005 World Summit', which IMO chose to focus on the Millennium Development Goals adopted by the United Nations as the world community's response to challenges such as hunger, disease and environmental degradation. Further information on IMO and World Maritime Day celebrations around the world is available at www.imo.org.
Further information on the work of IMarEST, and technical representation on IMO committees, please visit www.imarest.org.
