The shipping industry is once again abuzz with activities to celebrate Maritime Awareness Week. This year, the activities will take place from September 24-30 under the theme 'Strategic Cooperation: The Way Forward For The Shipping Industry'.

Maritime Awareness Week is an annual event on the calendar of the shipping industry. During this time there is a week of activities to highlight the work within the industry which is aimed at creating public awareness and to strengthen relationships within the shipping sector.

As is customary, the activities will begin with a service at the University of the West Indies Chapel beginning at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, September 24. The public is also invited to the Caribbean Maritime Institute's (CCMI) open day and exhibition from Monday, September 25, to Wednesday, September 27, from 10:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m. on the grounds of the CMI - Palisadoes park. Shipping industry partners will operate booths at the exhibition that will highlight their major activities and services.

A world celebration

Jamaica's Maritime Awareness Week was developed around World Maritime Day that is celebrated annually by the international shipping community and falls on the last Thursday in September. World Maritime Day is celebrated under the auspices of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), a United Nations body which has oversight for international maritime affairs and of which Jamaica is a member.

The IMO sets the general theme of World Maritime Day and member-states may modify it to suit their local situation.