Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation has launched the Maritime Safety Week to mark this year's World Maritime Day.
Speaking at the launching ceremony, Minister of State Ahmed Zuhair said the maritime sector is the mainstay of the global economy, as maritime transport is the most desirable method of importing and exporting goods. As such, he said that the Maldives should give special priority to informing and familiarising stakeholders in the maritime sector on the relevant international conventions.
Also at the ceremony, Principal Director of the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) Coast Guard Mohamed Rizmi Waleed highlighted the importance of strengthening maritime safety measures in a country like the Maldives, which has a large ocean territory. He also said that the relevant authorities are providing training opportunities for maritime workers to respond to various incidents at sea, adding that equipment has also been provided to respond to such incidents in different parts of the country.
During the ceremony, Head of Marine Police Ibrahim Adnan Anees said the equipment and vessels used in maritime transportation are the latest equipment used in other parts of the world. He also highlighted the importance of ensuring safety and security when using the resources.
The activities during the Maritime Safety Week will focus on checking the safety and security requirements of cargo vessels arriving in the Male' North Harbour and providing information to their owners and captains. The information provided includes the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) as well as the regulations on the loading and unloading of goods for vessels and the types of insurance available for vessels. In addition, a clean-up programme in the harbour areas of Male' and Hulhumale' will be held on October 14 to conclude Maritime Safety Week.
This year's World Maritime Day theme is MARPOL at 50 – Our Commitment Goes On. The theme reflects the International Maritime Organisation's long history of protecting the environment from the impact of shipping via a robust regulatory framework and emphasises its ongoing commitment to the work. The theme spotlights MARPOL, which covers the prevention of pollution of the marine environment by ships from operational or accidental causes.