IMO Celebrates 70 Years of World Maritime Day 2018

In 2018, IMO celebrates 70 years since the Convention establishing the Organization was adopted.

The World Maritime Day theme for the year is “IMO 70: Our Heritage – Better Shipping for a Better Future“.

This provides the opportunity to take stock and look back, but also to look forward, addressing current and future challenges for maritime transport to maintain a continued and strengthened contribution towards sustainable growth for all.

IMO 70 Animation

This short animated film shows how IMO has developed mandatory international regulations covering almost every aspect of shipping. As a result, modern shipping conforms to the highest practicable standards and is the safest, cleanest and most efficient way to move goods around the world.

The animation traces IMO’s voyage from the 1948 United Nations conference in Geneva, which saw its founding convention adopted, through to the present day. It highlights key developments such as new rules for tanker safety following the infamous Torrey Canyon incident in 1967, the satellite-based Global Maritime Distress and Safety System and the designation of several vital environmentally sensitive areas around the world which today receive special protection from shipping.

IMO Secretary-General’s message

IMO 70: Touring Exhibition

Seventy years of IMO efforts to promote safe, secure and clean shipping are being celebrated under the theme “IMO 70: Our Heritage – Better Shipping for a Better Future”.

And now, for the first time, an IMO touring exhibition is bringing our success stories and the future challenges for maritime transport to a global audience.

The exhibit is on its way to maritime museums across six continents. Is it coming to a place near you? Click here or on the image to find out.

List of events
A series of activities and events are planned to mark the 70 years since the Convention establishing IMO was adopted in March 1948. They will also look ahead, to the future.

Events will include (further details will be made available in due course):

6 March 2018 – a ceremony to mark the date when the IMO Convention was adopted was held at IMO Headquarters.
15 May 2018 – a high level forum was held at IMO Headquarters to discuss the Organization’s history, its future challenges and role within the global trade in a changing world.
13-15 June – World Maritime Day Parallel Event 2018 took place 13-15 June in Szczecin, Poland.
25 June 2018 – the annual Day of the Seafarer.
27 September 2018 – World Maritime Day celebrated at IMO Headquarters and around the world. Click here to view the Flickr gallery.
During 2018 – in conjunction with the International Congress of Maritime Museums a travelling exhibition will tour participating maritime museums.
Member Governments and international organizations are encouraged to organize events throughout the year to celebrate #IMO70 .