World Maritime Day 2024: Prioritizing safety in a transforming industry

Today is a significant day of celebration for the maritime industry, as it marks World Maritime Day under the theme ‘Navigating the Future: Safety First!’ This year, the day highlights the crucial role of technological innovation in shaping the future of maritime safety and environmental protection

What is World Maritime Day?

World Maritime Day, which is observed annyally on the last Thursday of September, focuses on the importance of shipping safety, maritime security and the marine environment and to emphasize a particular aspect of IMO’s work. The day also features a special message from the IMO’s secretary-general, which is backed up by a discussion paper on the selected subject in more detail.

IMO Secretary-General Message

When we think about safety in maritime, the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea or SOLAS, is one of the first things that comes to mind. 2024 marks 50 years since the treaty was adopted. We can be proud of the crucial role that this convention has played in setting international safety standards for ships’ construction, equipment and operation preventing maritime disasters and protecting lives.  

…IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez said. 

This year’s theme, calls for the collective effort to ensure we keep pace with the ongoing transformation in shipping.  

…Dominguez added. 

How does IMO’s ship safety treaty make a difference?

The International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) is the main and most important international treaty concerning the safety of merchant ships. The SOLAS Convention contains 15 chapters covering a variety of topics. 

Credit: IMO

Navigating the future: safety first!

The 2024 World Maritime Day theme “Navigating the future: safety first!” reflects IMO’s work to enhance maritime safety and security, in tandem with the protection of the marine environment, whilst ensuring its regulatory development process safely anticipates the fast pace of technological change and innovation.

This theme will allow us to focus on the full range of safety regulatory implications arising from new and adapted technologies and the introduction of alternative fuels including measures to reduce GHG emissions from ships as IMO strives to ensure the safety and efficiency of shipping are maintained, and potentially improved, so that the flow of seaborne international trade continues to be smooth and efficient. 

..IMO stated.

Safety has been at the heart of all of IMO’s activities since the Organization was established in 1948. The regulatory framework is continuously evolving as gaps become apparent and as a result of IMO’s proactive work to anticipate changes needed to accommodate emerging technologies and innovation – a prominent example being the currently ongoing development of a goal-based Code for maritime autonomous surface ships (MASS Code).

According to IMO, the theme is also closely linked to the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and several of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 7 on ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy by facilitating access to clean energy research and technology; SDG 8 on promoting sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all; SDG 9 on building resilient infrastructure, promoting inclusive and sustainable industrialization and fostering innovation; SDG 13 on taking urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts; and SDG 14 on conserving and sustainably using the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.

IMO invites Members States and everyone in the maritime industry to celebrate the day by using the hashtag #WorldMaritimeDay and tagging IMO on social media. 

How industry’s challenges impact safety: Finding the right balance

INTERCARGO embraces the theme of the day and stresses that in the maritime industry, ”one injury or loss of life is one too many”. INTERCARGO is committed to keeping safety at the forefront as dry bulk shipping navigates these changes.

With the IMO MEPC meeting next week, we advocate for a future where sustainability and safety enhancement go hand in hand. Let’s work together to create a maritime industry that’s not only greener but also safer for all who work in it. 

..INTERCARGO stated.

Furthermore,  Australian Maritime Safety Authority CEO Mick Kinley emphasised that to fully leverage the benefits of the technological innovation in the maritime sector, they need to move quickly to ensure new capabilities can be adopted safely and securely across industry.  Recognising the benefits of technological innovation for safety and the environment, Australia is committed to working with other nations to develop and apply the highest safety standards, ensuring new services are adopted safely and securely. 

As Australia’s representative at the IMO, AMSA contributes to multiple global initiatives aimed at achieving these goals.   Australia also collaborates with countries on multilateral initiatives. This includes establishing a green and digital shipping corridor by 2025 under the Singapore-Australia Green Economy Agreement.   

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, said: “Today, the maritime sector is undergoing a profound transformation as it steers towards greater digitalisation, automation and decarbonisation. New technologies and designs offer the opportunity to make important contributions to climate action. I count on the commitment of regulators, seafarers and ship operators alike.”  

Given that this year’s theme is dedicated to enhanced safety in the era of new technologies and alternative fuels, the SAFETY4SEA team met with Torsten Holst Pedersen, Chief Operating Officer of Seaspan, during SMM 2024 for an exclusive interview. They asked him what needs to be considered to keep pace with the latest developments and maintain a balance between safety and innovation.

Torsten Holst Pedersen highlighted that innovation, especially technological innovation, can significantly improve safety when targeted correctly. Technology acts as an aid, much like the systems we use for navigation—it enhances safety.

”For instance, we use technology to detect risks or to identify fires early by monitoring temperature increases. All of this stems from innovative technology that contributes to overall safety.” he said.

”However, the key is to be selective with the tools provided. With so many exciting technologies available, it’s tempting to try everything. But if you aren’t focused on which tools you’re giving the crew, you risk overwhelming them. It’s like a Christmas tree—hang too many ornaments, and it collapses. Similarly, burdening the crew with too many systems makes it impossible for them to manage everything effectively.’‘ , Torsten Holst Pedersen added.

He also said that the goal should be to remain highly targeted, involving the crew in identifying what’s working and what isn’t, and focusing on those specific solutions. “I don’t see innovation and safety as elements that need to be balanced—rather, innovation should always enhance safety. You just need to ensure it’s well-targeted and doesn’t overwhelm.” he concluded.

As the industry sails into its multi-fuel and multi-technology era, this International World Maritime Day reminds us that the success of the energy transition depends on putting maritime safety first, Esa Henttinen, Executive Vice President for Safety Solutions at NAPA, further commented. 

‘‘A recent survey by the International Seafarers Welfare and Assistance Network affirmed that the rapid changes caused by the decarbonisation transition are already impacting seafarer fatigue and stress, with more than half the respondents also reporting an increase in their workload, and a third fearing potential criminalisation for failing complex reporting requirements.’‘ Esa Henttinen said.

He continued by explaining that this is where digital tools, such as electronic logbooks and automated checklists, can provide seafarers with essential safeguards. New fuels, for instance, will require specific procedures for safe handling, bunkering, and changeovers. Digital checklists to guide crews will, therefore, be a crucial learning tool to ensure nothing is overlooked when completing new tasks and procedures. ‘This isn’t just a ‘nice-to-have,’ but rather a prerequisite to minimize the risk of accidents and incidents,’ he added.

Despite improvements in the shipping industry’s safety record, 55% of accidents still occur during planned work, often in critical areas like holds and oil tanks. Here, the digitalisation of paper-based processes presents a step-change in maritime safety. Digitalising the permit-to-work process enhances safety by providing step-by-step guidance to seafarers and offering real-time progress visibility to both ship and shore teams, reducing the risk of error and oversight.

source : safety4sea