The Hindu Business Line : World Maritime Day celebration in Kochi today

THE marine community in Kochi is to celebrate the World Maritime Day on Thursday to highlight the goals and objectives of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) as well as to create awareness on the positive and vital role played by the shipping industry.

Dr Jacob Thomas, Chairman, Kochi Port, will inaugurate the celebrations at the Merchant Navy Club, which will be followed by the theme session "IMO 2004 - Focus on Maritime Security".

Since its inception in 1948, IMO has contributed extensively in improving the safety standards on board ships and protection of environment. The most important achievement in this field is the introduction of the Safety of Life at Sea .

IMO also played an active role in facilitation of international maritime traffic, load lines and the carriage of dangerous goods, while the system of measuring the tonnage of ships was revised.

Other measures introduced by IMO have concerned the safety of containers, bulk cargoes, liquefied gas tankers and other types of ships.

The introduction of ISPS (International Ship and Port Facility Security) code along with other security measures ushered in a new set of maritime regulations establishing a framework for enhancement of maritime safety and security, a press statement issued here said.

The International Safety Management and the amendments to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watch keeping for seafarers were introduced by IMO.

It had greatly improved seafarer standards and, for the first time, gave IMO itself powers to check Government actions, the statement added.