More efficient shipping, working in partnership with a port sector supported by governments, will be a major driver towards global stability and sustainable development for the good of all people. This was the message of IMO’s Chris Trelawny in his speech to the European Sea Ports Organisation’s annual conference in Barcelona, Spain (1-2 June).
Mr. Trelawny highlighted how IMO’s World Maritime Day theme for 2017, ‘Connecting Ships, Ports and People’, focuses on helping Member States to develop and implement maritime strategies to invest in a joined-up, interagency approach that addresses a wide range of issues. These issues include the facilitation of maritime transport, increasing efficiency, navigational safety, protection of the marine environment, and maritime security.
Key objectives include improving cooperation between port authorities and the shipping industry and developing a closer partnership between the two sectors; raising global standards and setting norms for the safety, security and efficiency of ports and for port and coastal State authorities; and standardizing port procedures through identifying and developing best practice guidance and training materials.
The audience at the Barcelona conference included senior figures from the European Commission, European Parliament, persons involved in managing various European ports, as well as European academics and relevant non-governmental organizations.