Every year on 24th September World Maritime Day is observed all over the world to regard a contribution of International maritime industries towards the prosperity of the world, virtually the shipping.
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) celebrates World Maritime Day, which focuses on the importance of many maritime factors like shipping safety, the security of saltwater and the marine environment. It very much requires creating more awareness of oceanic factors and the beauty underneath the water. With global warming creating chaos all over the world, it is imperative that more people need to be aware of the marine life and environment and to save them also. In 2001 UNESCO affirmed the custom on the protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage which sanctioned by 61 countries. This international treaty promotes the state parties to have more incredible research and to preserve the underwater heritage. And this conservation can only be done through appropriated scientific measures and some strict legal rules.
Every year this day is celebrated with many programmes & a particular theme, but due to global pandemic of COVID-19 this year all the celebration will be via online platforms. The 2020 World Maritime Day theme is “Sustainable Shipping for a sustainable planet” which converges on granting opportunities to raise awareness of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Even due to coronavirus, over two million seafarers have sacrificed on the world’s merchant fleet. There are thousands of seafarers who have faced their life’s most difficult situation due to Covid and have also faced the altruistic crisis as because of many reasons like stranded at sea or unable to get off the sea as they have to operate due to contracts prolonged by months and months. Now, the shipping industry, with support of IMO regulatory framework, has already begun the transformation towards this sustainable future.
On this occasion of World Maritime Day, the government is trying to attract more attention to the awareness of maritime and the importance of the underwater cultural heritage. India, like any other countries, to have so much to showcase in this field to the whole world. This day will help to create more awareness and shows that India too has an important centre of maritime trade and shipbuilding crafts which yet to be discovered and appreciated.
Article Written by Dikhya Mohanty
Image Source: Google
