Pak Naval Cheif Message on World Maritime Day
Karachi, The Gulf Observer: World Maritime Day is celebrated every year to focus on the importance of shipping safety, maritime security and marine environment. This year, the theme of World Maritime Day is ‘New Technologies for Greener Shipping’.
Shipping is the most efficient and cost effective method of international transportation, facilitating commerce and global trade to create prosperity among nations and people. In order to reap the benefits of shipping in the long run, its sustainability will be a key priority as its volume continues to grow. This necessitates energy efficiency, new technology and innovation, maritime education and training, maritime traffic management and development of maritime infrastructure, of international standards.
It is estimated that the shipping industry releases around 3% of world’s Carbon Dioxide into the atmosphere on annual basis contributing sizably to the overall impact on climate change. Therefore, in order to curtail global warming, IMO has made it obligatory for ships to slash to half, respective Green House Gas (GHG) emissions under the concept of Greener Shipping, by 2050.
This year’s theme reflects the need for greener transition of maritime sector for its sustainable future, in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Greener shipping calls for new technologies that enable production of fuels which are clean, cost effective and increase energy efficiency of ships. Moreover, efficient ports through their digitization is needed to complement such a transition. Newer technologies must therefore, aim to reduce and prevent any adverse impacts on the marine environment and its biodiversity. This requires close collaboration between governments, industry, academia and the maritime sector to accrue maximum benefit.
Pakistan Navy, being a major stakeholder in the maritime sector is well cognizant of the importance of creating maritime awareness and exploiting full potential of Blue Economy. On this important day, we pledge to make concerted efforts for sustainable development of maritime sector in Pakistan and address the challenges facing us in pursuit of greener transition. I look forward to a profound and cumulative response by all stakeholders in this regard.
