(NEWS) World Maritime Day 2023: MARPOL at 50

September

2023

World Maritime Day 2023: MARPOL at 50 - Our Commitment Goes On

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To view President Mejia’s full World Maritime Day 2023 video message, click here.‍

The 2023 World Maritime Day theme, 'MARPOL at 50 - Our Commitment Goes On," reflects the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) long history of protecting the environment from the impact of shipping via a robust regulatory framework and emphasizes its ongoing commitment to this important work. The theme spotlights the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL), which covers prevention of pollution of the marine environment by ships from operational or accidental causes.

Celebrated on the last Thursday in September, this year's World Maritime Day is 28 September. For the occasion, Professor Maximo Q. Mejia, Jr., WMU President, provided the following message:

“Humanity is at a turning point. It is clear that our actions have a significant impact on the environment. It is also clear that we must act now to turn the tide in order to secure a sustainable future. The 2023 World Maritime Day theme, 'MARPOL at 50 – Our commitment goes on,' provides an opportunity to reflect on the International Maritime Organization’s longstanding history of protecting the marine environment from operational or accidental pollution by ships.

The recent adoption by the IMO Marine Environment Protection Committee of the '2023 IMO Strategy on Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships' also sent a clear and unanimous message regarding the maritime community’s commitment to reach net-zero Greenhouse gas emissions by around 2050. GHG emissions reduction will be implemented internationally via the regulatory instruments adopted as part of the MARPOL convention. Fifty years after its adoption, the MARPOL convention is as important and relevant as ever.

At the World Maritime University, we will continue with our unwavering commitment to provide excellence in maritime education, training, research and capacity building in support of a sustainable global maritime community, and a sustainable future for the benefit of humanity, and all life on Earth.”

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To view President Mejia’s full World Maritime Day 2023 video message, click here.‍

To view the 2023 World Maritime Day video featuring IMO Secretary-General, Mr. Kitack Lim, who serves as Chancellor of WMU and is a WMU alumnus, click here.

To read the 2023 World Maritime Day message from United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, click here.

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‍About World Maritime Day‍
World Maritime Day was first held in 1978 to mark the 20th anniversary of the IMO Convention’s entry into force. Celebrations are held throughout the world annually to focus attention on the importance of shipping safety, maritime security and the marine environment, and to emphasize a particular aspect of IMO's work. World Maritime Day celebrations are usually held during the last week in September. Since 2005, in addition to the official IMO celebrations held at IMO Headquarters in London, there has been a Parallel Event hosted by a member State.

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Maritime Governance: Contextual Factors affecting Implementation of IMO Instruments

My decision to enroll in the doctoral program at WMU was heavily influenced by my prior experience as a Master's student at the institution. Initially introduced to me as a preeminent global institution for maritime education, WMU's stellar reputation was further substantiated by the exceptional quality of education I received during my Master’s studies. This experience became a compelling factor in my determination to return to WMU as a doctoral student. Recognizing the synergies between my research aspirations and the institutional offerings at WMU, I concluded that continuing my educational journey at this esteemed institution was not only beneficial but also aligned perfectly with my academic and professional goals.

My research explored the theoretical foundations of governance, placing a particular emphasis on maritime governance. Going beyond mere theoretical frameworks, the study conducted a comprehensive examination of a crucial aspect within maritime governance—specifically, the implementation of International Maritime Organization (IMO) instruments, exploring the contextual factors that affect the implementation process. Applying the grounded theory methodology, the research aimed to understand these theoretical underpinnings, as well as firmly anchor insights in the practical context of maritime governance; unveiling the intricacies and challenges associated with the effective implementation of IMO instruments in the maritime domain. The selection of this topic was motivated by a personal interest that was cultivated during my Master’s studies in maritime law and policy. Furthermore, it was driven by the recognition of a scarcity of scientific research on this specific topic. This gap in the existing body of knowledge served as a catalyst for my exploration, underscoring the significance of contributing valuable insights to an area of maritime governance that has been relatively underrepresented in scholarly research.

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Embarking on my professional path, my foremost aim is to establish myself as an authority in the field of maritime governance. I aspire to leave a significant and enduring mark on the global maritime landscape. Beyond the academic sphere, my drive is fuelled by a passionate interest in pursuing diverse opportunities within the maritime domain and the broader educational sector and contributing significantly to positive transformations in the global maritime sector.

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