The World Maritime Day theme for 2015 is ‘Maritime education and training’. This was adopted to focus attention on the wider spectrum of maritime education and training, in particular its adequacy and quality, as the bedrock of a safe and secure shipping industry, which needs to preserve the quality, practical skills and competence of qualified human resources, in order to ensure sustainability.

At the International Maritime Organization (IMO) the 1978 STCW Convention and Code, as amended, set the international benchmark for the training and education of seafarers. While compliance with its standards is essential for serving on board ships, the skills and competence of seafarers, and indeed, the human element ashore, can only be adequately underpinned, updated and maintained through effective maritime education and training.

Although World Maritime Day will be celebrated at IMO Headquarters on 24 September other events and activities focusing on maritime education and training are being held throughout the year.