World Maritime Day on 26 September 2024 has the theme Navigating the future: safety first! But it also marks 50 years since the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) was adopted.
SOLAS is the main and most important international treaty concerning the safety of merchant ships.
Several initiatives will be held by the International Maritime Organization to commemorate the day, including:
- lighting up IMO headquarters in blue to promote the year's theme. In a video, IMO secretary-general Arsenio Dominguez also spread the message on the World Maritime Day theme 2024
- a WMO-IMO Symposium on Extreme Maritime Weather: the event will focus on Bridging the Knowledge Gap Towards Safer Shipping and will take place on 23-26 September 2024 at IMO Headquarters, London. Read more details here
Nautilus International, meanwhile, is using the day to continue applying pressure on the UK government to resolve the Royal Fleet Auxiliary crew pay dispute, given how important this organisation is to keeping the nation safe.
Nautilus general secretary Mark Dickinson said: 'Our members working for the RFA are not asking for special treatment, just a fair wage for the vital work they do. These are the women and men who provide essential support to our armed forces, keeping the UK secure on the global stage.'
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