The world lights up blue to celebrate seafarers

IMO's UK headquarters was one of many buildings, bridges, ports, ships, monuments, museums and other iconic landmarks in more than 30 countries that were lit up in blue on September 30, 2021 to celebrate Maritime Day. world. The symbolic initiative, called "maritime blue", aims to unite the maritime community and raise awareness about the vital contribution of shipping and seafarers to the world. Images of these representative places were shared on social media with the hashtag #WorldMaritimeDay.

The blue lights of the IMO headquarters on London's Albert Embankment were placed to illuminate the Seafarers' Monument near the entrance, a fitting tribute given the theme of this year's World Maritime Day: "Seafarers in the center of maritime transport ". The monument, which was inaugurated twenty years ago on World Maritime Day 2001, initially had lights that illuminated it, but they ceased to function over the years. The lighting works were carried out with funds donated by the International Federation of Transport Workers.

The lighting of the building was broadcast live via IMO social media channels to a global audience, many of them on board ships. A small face-to-face event was also held at IMO headquarters to commemorate the occasion. From now on, the IMO building, including the Seafarers Monument, will continue to bathe in blue light on every World Maritime Day. IMO Secretary General Kitack Lim has also extended an invitation to IMO Member States, intergovernmental organizations and non-governmental organizations with consultative status to join this annual initiative.

To view photos of iconic places around the world participating in the initiative, including images of the IMO building and the Seafarer Monument in Blue, click here:

Spotlighting in blue for World Maritime Day 2021 | Flickr

To view images from the 2001 inauguration of the Seafarers Monument at IMO, click here:  OMI Memorial to Seafarers 2001 | Flickr