World Maritime Day: ‘Sustainable Shipping for a Sustainable Planet’

The United Nations marks World Maritime Day today. Where Sri Lanka is concerned, it comes this year in the wake of the fire that broke out on September 3 in the engine room of the MT New Diamond when it was some 65 kilometres off the eastern coast of Sri Lanka. The fire that broke out initially on board the large crude-oil carrier and the one that broke out subsequently were finally extinguished on September 11. A Filipino crew member was reported to have been killed in the fire while 19 others were rescued.   

According to a Reuters report the fire had been triggered by an explosion and was initially brought under control before spreading upwards to the ship’s bridge. To everyone’s relief, the Sri Lankan Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) said it believed the ship’s cargo tanks were intact following the fire, but that a slight oil slick had been sighted, perhaps from the fuel oil on board. The MEPA said that early on September 4 two explosions were reported from New Diamond, but the Sri Lankan Army had at that time said there was no danger of an oil leak.   

The foregoing is a wake-up call to those who use the sea lanes to take all necessary precautions to prevent or mitigate such catastrophes which often result in oil leaks that pollute and endanger our oceans, the biodiversity of marine life, and directly or indirectly affect the livelihood of hundreds of thousands of people who depend on the bounty that the oceans provide.   

Meanwhile, the World Maritime Day has as its theme this year “Sustainable Shipping for a Sustainable Planet”. It provides an excellent opportunity to raise awareness of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and to showcase the work that the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and its Member States are undertaking to achieve the SDG targets. The theme will provide opportunities for leaders from various sectors, including shipping, to both reflect on the work done and the urgent steps they hope to take towards a sustainable future, the UN says.   

It says the shipping industry, with the support of the IMO regulatory framework, has already started the transition towards this sustainable future. IMO has adopted and will continue to develop measures to cut greenhouse gas emissions, reduce the Sulphur content of ships’ fuel oil, implement the Ballast Water Management Convention, protect the polar regions, reduce marine litter, improve shipping efficiency through the electronic exchange of information, meet the challenges of the digitalisation of shipping and enhance the participation of women in the maritime community.   

With the world struggling to cope with the onslaught of the deadly COVID-19, the UN says the pandemic has highlighted the professionalism and sacrifice of the two million seafarers who serve on the world’s merchant fleet. Shipping has continued to transport more than 80% of the world’s trade, including vital medical supplies, food and other basic goods that are critical for the COVID-19 response and recovery – but hundreds of thousands of seafarers face a humanitarian crisis as they have been stranded at sea, unable to get off the ships they operate with contracts extended by many months. This needs to be addressed urgently, through Governments designating seafarers as essential workers and ensuring safe crew changes can take place. It says this year’s World Maritime Day is being celebrated in the form of an online event, due to social distancing measures caused by the pandemic.   

International days are occasions to educate the public on issues of concern, to mobilise the political will and resources to address global problems, and to celebrate and reinforce achievements of humanity. The existence of international days predates the establishment of the United Nations, but the UN has embraced them as a powerful advocacy tool.   

World Maritime Day focuses on the importance of shipping safety, maritime security and the marine environment and the safety of boats, ships and larger vessels that crisscross the oceans and it is essential for people to understand the significance of the maritime industry in shaping world history and its importance to world trade.   

Maritime affairs may be of little or no concern to most of us who are far removed from the oceans, which are the centre of focus today, but there is no gainsaying the fact that with thousands of Sri Lankans working on-board sea-going vessels that ferry passengers and assorted kinds of cargo there is no gainsaying the fact that we too do have a stake in their safety and security.