The annual event is organised by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) with the exact date left to individual Governments but is usually celebrated during the last week in September. The day is used 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.
To mark the occasion, the Secretary-General of IMO prepares a special message and this is backed up by a paper which discusses selected subjects in greater depth. The content of which is available on an audio MP3 file that can be downloaded by logging onto www.imo.org
The United Nations has designated 2010 as the UN Year of the Seafarer which incorporates World Maritime Day. The IMO will officially celebrate World Maritime Day at the organisation's London headquarters on the banks of the River Thames on Thursday, 23 September.
