Commissioner Daniel B. Maffei Attends World Maritime Day Observance At Imo Headquarters

Commissioner Maffei met with officials at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and attended events marking the official observance of World Maritime Day. World Maritime Day is an official United Nations day that annually draws attention to the importance of shipping and emphasizes a particular aspect of IMO’s work.

While at IMO headquarters in London, U.K., Commissioner Maffei attended an open discussion of the challenges that world shipping faces now and in the future. He also participated in a celebratory reception attended by representatives of dozens of nations active in international shipping. All of the events this year shared the theme – “Shipping: indispensable to the world.”

“The point was made here that shipping has brought the world together in a tangible way just like the Internet has brought the world together in a virtual way. Today, we can’t imagine what life would be like without either of them,” said Maffei. “In this context, international coordination is essential because, without a global framework of rules and practices in which to operate, the maritime industry would become inefficient and wasteful. It’s important that the Federal Maritime Commission work with the IMO and other international organizations to help make maritime activities as beneficial as possible to businesses, shippers and consumers around the globe.”

This point is echoed in the theme for next year’s World Maritime Day – “Connecting Ships, Ports and People.” For more information on World Maritime Day, click here. http://www.imo.org/en/About/Events/WorldMaritimeDay/Pages/WMD-2016.aspx