The local shipping industry is again poised to celebrate Maritime Awareness Week this year, under the theme, 'Fulfilling Jamaica's Maritime Potential: The IMO a Solid Partner'.

The week of activities will take place from September 21-25 with a host of events that will showcase the local maritime sector.

The activities will begin with a church service to be held at the Kingston Parish Church on Sunday, September 21, followed by a week of exciting activities that includes, for the first time, a cultural diversity march and show that will begin at the Norman Manley round-a-bout and climax at the Caribbean Maritime Institute , Palisadoes Park. A road show is also on the list of activities and will start at the Police Officers' Club, Hope Road, and end with a grand show on Kingston's waterfront, downtown.

Port tours to educate students on the importance of Jamaica's maritime sector are also on the list of activities. Tours will be conducted in Kingston, Montego Bay and Port Antonio.

Annual celebration

Jamaica's Maritime Awareness Week was developed around the World Maritime Day, that is celebrated annually by the international shipping community and falls on the last Thursday in the month of 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. The IMO, of which Jamaica is a member, sets the general theme of World Maritime Day and member states may modify it to suit their local situation.

Hon Michael Henry cuts the ribbon to officially open the 2007 Maritime Awareness Week exhibition in the reading room of the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Library, under the theme, 'Jamaica's Maritime Industry Responding to Environmental Challenges'. Also pictured (from left) are Captain Hopeton De Lisser, vice-president, harbour and port services of the Port Authority of Jamaica (PAJ) and Rear Admiral (retired) Peter Brady, director general of the PAJ.

Schedule of activities (September 21-25)

Sunday, September 21, 10:30 a.m.

Kingston Parish Church, 70b King Street, Kingston

Monday, september 22 at 9:45 a.m.

Caribbean Maritime Institute, Palisadoes Park

Cultural diversity march/show

Opening of exhibition

Tuesday, September 23, at 10 a.m.

Maritime Industry Road Show

Route: Police Officers Club, Hope Road to Kingston waterfront,

downtown Kingston

Wednesday, September 24 at 3 p.m.

Panel discussion - Knutsford Court Hotel

Theme: 'Trade facilitation through the efficient movement of import and export cargo'

Wednesday, September 24 10 a.m.

Port tours for students in Kingston and St Andrew, MoBay and Port Antonio

Thursday, SEPTEMBER 25 at 12:30 p.m.

Forum- Shipping Association of Jamaica

Theme: 'Fulfilling Jamaica's Maritime

Potential: The IMO a Solid Partner'

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