Dive Brief:
- The theme of the 2017 World Maritime Day will stress the importance of coherent and connected development across all maritime sectors, the International Maritime Organization announced Wednesday.
- Though World Maritime Day is scheduled for September 28, IMO Secretary-General Lim announced the theme in Felixstowe in the United Kingdom, the U.S.'s busiest port, during a recent visit.
- The hope for the 2017 theme is to celebrate the strong connection between people, ports and ships, and to improve the current maritime transport system.
Dive Insight:
A combined effort between ports, their stakeholders, and the shippers and carriers that frequent them is the best way to build a stronger infrastructure — one that will see the industry through the lean times it's currently enduring.
Transparency improvements within the shipping supply chain, such as those piloted by Maersk, are an example of the changes shippers seek. Low rates aren't as valuable to shippers if they don't receive the kind of communication that reassures them their loads are safe. This in turn impacts ports, which require the frequent business a trusted transport line provides. Without the continued visits of various vessels, a port can't maintain itself, let alone modernize.
The interdependency of people, ships, and ports is clear. Cooperation is vital to mutual success. Working groups, information sharing, and benchmarking are proven methods of achieving improvement within the maritime industry. Highlighting and intensifying the focus on what works will prove key in ensuring the success of maritime infrastructure.