Deputy Minister for Transport and Communications U Aung Myaing called for collective efforts to develop an environmentally friendly maritime transport sector as committed in MARPOL Convention at a ceremony to mark the World Maritime Day 2023 at Yangon’s Wyndham Grand Yangon Hotel yesterday.
He also said the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, known as MARPOL, is not only a legal contract but also a reflection of appreciation and aspiration for a prosperous maritime environment.
The deputy minister explained that the theme of World Maritime Day 2023 is “MARPOL at 50 – our commitment goes on” and it aims to bolster the preservation of global soil and seas as per the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by all United Nations member states.
He also highlighted the purpose of the MARPOL Convention — signed by 161 member states and represents 98.89 per cent of cargo vessels globally — is a legal instrument to tackle spills of oil, intoxicated liquids, goods in hazard-prone packaging as well as water pollution caused by sanitary and rubbish resulted from other sources. Myanmar signed annexes 1 and 2 to the convention in 1988 and 3, 4, and 5 in 2016 and the country is drafting a law to address water pollution complying with the clauses of the convention.
The video clip of the Secretary-General’s message on World Maritime Day was displayed at the ceremony before Dr Ko Ko Naing, acting Director-General of the Department of Marine Administration explained the theme ‘MARPOL at 50 – our commitment goes on’.
At the ceremony, three SRPS companies providing seafarer recruitment and placement service (SRPS) that made the most number of job placements for seafarers in 2022 and U Tayar Nge, a deck officer who rescued a seaman who fell from the ship in the Korean sea, were awarded for their outstanding performances.
Officials of the Department of Marine Administration under the ministry presented their activities on maritime affairs before the Deputy Minister and invitees viewed the World Maritime Day 2023 showrooms displayed by the ministry.
In the afternoon, the Myanmar Seafarers Forum, Stakeholders Consultation Workshop on National Maritime Transport Policy and Myanmar Port State Control Workshop were conducted at the same time.
The ceremony was attended by heads of departments under the ministry, representatives from local and overseas maritime organizations, training schools, international ports, SRPS companies as the well as owners and staff of vessels.
At night, the ministry lit blue lights at the office of the Department of Marine Administration, Myanma Port Authority as well as international wharves and ships in honour of the World Maritime Day 2023. — MNA/TH
