The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) will jointly host a 'World Maritime Day' (WMD) Evening Reception on 25 September 2006, Monday at the Asian Civilisations Museum.

Singapore is the first Asian country to host a 'World Maritime Day' event in parallel to the celebrations held traditionally at the IMO's headquarters in London, UK. Given that the IMO World Maritime Day parallel event seeks to celebrate the contributions of the maritime industry and raise the industry's profile globally, it is fitting that the event also launches Singapore's inaugural Maritime Week.

Maritime Week, which takes place from 25 to 29 September, will showcase a diverse range of events that cater to maritime sectors such as shipping, port, bunkering, maritime policy and business services. They will comprise forums, conferences, and seminars. There will also be many networking opportunities such as gala award dinners and industry receptions. About 3,000 local and overseas delegates are expected for Maritime Week.

Mr Raymond Lim, Minister for Transport and Second Minister for Foreign Affairs will be the Guest-of-Honour for the 'World Maritime Day' reception cum launch of Maritime Week.

Some 250 key decision makers from the international maritime community and members of the diplomatic corp will attend the event.

The evening reception will be preceded by a Forum held at Fullerton Hotel. This year's theme for the Forum is "Shipping for Growth and Development". Discussion topics will include 'Striking a Balance between Regulation and Efficiency of Shipping'; 'Quality Shipping: Case for Industry Self-Regulation'; 'The Rise of Asian Shipping'; 'Manpower Development for the Maritime Industry'; and 'Image and Profile of Shipping'.

The day-Forum will be opened by BG(NS) Choi Shing Kwok, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transport and Mr David Edwards, Director of Technical Co-operation Division, IMO. Mr Johan Franson, Chairman of the IMO Council will be chairing the Forum. Other prominent industry personalities forming the round table panel include: BG (NS) Tay Lim Heng, Chief Executive of Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA); Mr Igor Ponomarev, Chairman of IMO's Maritime Safety Committee; VAdm Francisco Martinez Villarroel, Director General of the Chilean Directorate General of the Maritime Territory and Merchant Marine; Dr Peter Swift, Managing Director of INTERTANKO; Mr Teo Siong Seng, President of the Singapore Shipping Association; Mr Ben Owusu-Mensah, Chairman of IMO's Technical Co-operation Committee; and Mr Julian Bray, Editor of Lloyd's List.

End of Release.

Note to Editors:

Maritime Week 2006 is supported by government and private agencies such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), Singapore Tourism Board (STB) and industry associations such as INTERCARGO, INTERTANKO, International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA), Women's International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA) and the Baltic and International Maritime Council (BIMCO). Additionally, the MPA is also working with the International Maritime Organisation, Institute of Environmental Science and Engineering (IESE), Marine Money Asia, Singapore Maritime Foundation (SMF) and the Singapore Organisation of Seamen (SOS) for the week of events.

Attached:

Speech by Mr Raymond Lim, Minister for Transport and Second Minister for Foreign Affairs

World Maritime Day Forum Programme