This year's theme - Maritime Education and Training - was chosen to focus attention on the need for an expanded global maritime education network to ensure the continued supply of well-trained and highly-qualified people in the maritime industry.
World Maritime Day 2015 was marked in Australia on 23 September, with an evening reception at the National Museum of Australia attended by approximately 100 IMO Member State representatives and Australian Government officials. The event was hosted by the Hon Warren Truss MP, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development, and Australian Maritime Safety Authority Chief Executive Officer, Mick Kinley.
During his welcoming speech, the Hon Warren Truss said the annual celebration recognised the significant contribution of more than 1.5 million seafarers around the world, including their role in delivering 90 per cent of international trade.
Australia is reliant on shipping, and the sector is forecast to grow globally into the future, with an increase of 70 per cent predicted between now and 2030. An additional 40,000 trained seafarers will be needed annually to meet this demand.
The official World Maritime Day function, held at the Headquarters of the IMO in London on 24 September, was attended by the Australian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom and Permanent Representative to the IMO, the Hon Alexander Downer, with AMSA officials and Australian Maritime College Principal Neil Bose attending a special Symposium earlier in the day.
Every year a country is chosen to hold a Parallel World Maritime Day event, and this year AMSA General Manager, and new Chair of the Maritime Safety Committee, Brad Groves was pleased to participate in a special seminar held in Japan in July.
The Australian Government is committed to continue working with the IMO and maritime industry to promote seafaring as a viable and rewarding career path to ensure the ongoing sustainability of this vital industry.
The Hon Warren Truss MP, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development, addresses World Maritime Day reception attendees