October
20 - 22

Starts: 16:00

Ends: 22:00

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WORLD TRADE CENTER BARCELONA Auditorium. Moll de Barcelona, s/n, 08039 Barcelona, Spain
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World Maritime Day Parallel Event 2024

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the Government of the Kingdom of Spain are pleased to invite interested parties to join them in celebrating this year’s World Maritime Day Parallel Event, which will take place in Barcelona, Spain, from 20 to 22 October 2024.

This prestigious event will bring together international maritime leaders and experts to discuss future challenges and opportunities under the 2024 IMO theme: Navigating the Future: Safety First!

The full program, along with details on side activities, registration, accommodation options, and public transportation, can be found on the event website. Participants are encouraged to register early via the registration section on the website, as spaces are limited. Please note that registration will be confirmed based on the order of submissions. The registration period will close on 15 October at 2:00 PM (GMT +1).

 

World Maritime Day 2024

World Maritime Day 2024, to be celebrated on September 26, will focus on the theme "Navigating the Future: Safety First." This theme highlights the International Maritime Organization's (IMO) commitment to enhancing maritime safety and security, while protecting the marine environment.

Safety has been central to the IMO's activities since its establishment in 1958. It has always been recognized that the most effective way to improve safety at sea is through comprehensive international regulations, adhered to by all shipping nations worldwide.

Widely considered the most important international treaty concerning the safety of merchant ships is the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, better known by its acronym, SOLAS. Successive versions of this treaty have built upon the original 1914 version, which was adopted in response to the Titanic disaster in 1912. Notably, 2024 marks the 50th anniversary of the SOLAS Convention.

The collective expertise within the IMO ensures that every standard, guideline, or code of practice is balanced, practical, and effective. This regulatory framework applies to nearly 100% of international shipping, a level of reach and influence unmatched by any other international or regional organization.

Shipping is responsible for transporting about 80% of global trade and, when considering its productive value, is the least environmentally damaging mode of transport. However, the IMO is actively pursuing a global strategy to make shipping carbon-neutral and to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

Enhancing maritime safety by ensuring that each link in the chain of responsibility fully meets its obligations remains a top priority for the global maritime community. This is crucial for the future of global economic growth and prosperity.

Through the combined expertise and partnerships of the IMO, its Member States, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, and the industry, the IMO has the vision, capability, and ambition to lead the next phase in the evolution of maritime safety.

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Program

Oct

20

Oct

21

Oct

22

Early Registration
16:00  to  17:00

Early registration in World Trade Center Barcelona

Cultural Event
17:00  to  19:00

Guided tour of Barcelona, commencing from the World Trade Center Barcelona (WTC).

Araiz Basurko

Deputy Director

Spanish Shipowners Association (ANAVE)

Arsenio Domínguez

Secretary-General

International Maritime Organization (IMO)

José Luis García Lena

Director

Spanish Maritime Rescue and Safety Agency (SASEMAR)

Barbara García-Carpintero

Airport & Ports

INDRA

Santiago García-Milá

Deputy Director for Innovation and Business Strategy. BPA

Maria Eugènia Gay

Second Deputy Mayor

Social Rights, Education and Life Cycles of Barcelona Town Hall

Rebeca Grynspan

Secretary-General

United Nations Trade & Development (UNCTAD)

Sinikka Hartonen

Secretary-General

One Sea Association

Stephanie N.Y.K.P Janneh

Maritime Attaché

Togo

Victor Jiménez

Chair

IMO Council

Dorota Lost-Sieminska

Director of Legal Affairs and External Relations Division

IMO

Brice Martin-Castex

Deputy Director

Subdivision for Marine Technology and Cargoes, Maritime Safety Division, IMO

Danny McGowan

Head of International Relations

Nautilus International

Mayte Medina

Chair

IMO Maritime Safety Committee

Cheyenne Méndez

Chief Mate

Fred Olsen

Benito Núñez

Secretary-General

Aviation and Maritime Transport

Jaume Juan Palerm

Fleet Surveyor

Trasmapi

Evangelia Pouli

Graduate

International Maritime Law Institute

Óscar Puente

Minister

Transport and Sustainable Mobility of Spain

Adriana Quesada

Graduate

World Maritime University

Joaquín Rodríguez Jadraque

Director of Hydrogen and Clean Power

CEPSA

Lluís Salvadó

President

Port of Barcelona

Celeste Saulo

Secretary-General

World Meteorological Organization (WMO)

Eugenia Sillero

Secretary-General

Gasnam - Neutral Transport

Tan Hoe Soon

Assistant Chief Executive (Corporate and Strategy)

Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore

Katharina Stanzel

Managing Director

INTERTANKO

Venue & Social Events

Guided tour of Barcelona

October 20 (17:00h-19:00h)

Explore the beauty of Barcelona with a guided tour starting from the World Trade Center Barcelona (WTC).

WTC Auditorium, Moll de Barcelona, s/n. 08039, Barcelona

L’Estació Espai Gastronómic

October 21 (19:00h-22:00h)

Join us for a delightful evening of networking and fine cuisine in one of Barcelona's iconic locations, the historic Estación de Francia.

Av. del Marquès de l'Argentera, s/n, Ciutat Vella. 08002 Barcelona

Barcelona Maritime Museum

October 22 (18:00h-22:00h)

Experience an immersive cultural and historical tour of the Maritime Museum, followed by a closing cocktail reception; a memorable setting to unwind and celebrate the success of this year's edition.

Av. de les Drassanes, s/n, Ciutat Vella. 08001 Barcelona

Accommodation

 

We have secured special agreements with nearby hotels to offer you the best rates and convenient lodging options during the event. Reservations should be made directly by attendees via the hotel’s official website. Simply use the discount code provided in the table below to enjoy reduced rates based on the current pricing at the time of booking.

We highly recommend securing your room reservations as soon as possible, as availability is limited, particularly due to the overlap with the America's Cup Final. Additionally, please revisit this section regularly for updates, as new offers may become available.

Should you have any questions or require assistance regarding accommodation, please feel free to contact us; we are happy to help.

 

Hotel Discount Code Discount (%) Location
Eurostars Grand Marina 5* GL WMDPE 15% WTC. Moll de Barcelona, s/n 08039 Barcelona (Spain)
Andante Hotel WMDPE 15% Av. Drassanes 23-25 08001  Barcelona (Spain)
Exe Cristal Palace **** WMDPE 15% Carrer de la Diputació, 257, L'Eixample, 08007 Barcelona (Spain)
Miramar Barcelona WMDPE 15% Plaça de Carlos Ibáñez, 3, Sants-Montjuïc, 08038 Barcelona (Spain)

 

 

 

Public Transport

 

How to reach the World Trade Center from Barcelona-El Prat Airport

We look forward to welcoming you to the technical sessions! Below is some useful information regarding the various transport options available:

1. Metro: From the airport station, take Line 9 Sud (L9 S) towards Zona Universitària. Change trains at Paral·lel, where you can connect to Line 2 (Purple) or Line 3 (Green). If you choose Line 2, get off at Passeig de Joan de Borbó. If you opt for Line 3, get off at Drassanes. Both stations are within walking distance of the World Trade Center.

2. Aerobús: This express service connects the airport directly to the center of Barcelona. Take the Aerobús and get off at Plaça Espanya. From there, you can take Line 3 (Green) of the metro towards Trinitat Nova and get off at Drassanes or Paral·lel, or opt for a taxi that will take you to the WTC in about 10-15 minutes.

3. Taxi: Taxis are available at the airport terminals. A direct trip to the World Trade Center will take approximately 15 to 20 minutes.

4. Urban Buses: The urban lines V11, D20, and H14 also provide access to the WTC area, although some require transfers.

How to reach the Social Events from the World Trade Center (WTC)

Espai Gastronòmic (Welcome Reception)

  • On foot: A 20-minute walk along the scenic port and coastal area.

  • Public Transport:

    • Buses: Lines D20 and V11 offer direct connections.

    • Metro: Take Line 3 (green) towards Trinitat Nova and get off at Drassanes station. From there, it’s about a 10-minute walk to the Espai Gastronòmic.

  • Taxi: A taxi ride from the WTC to the Espai Gastronòmic will take approximately 5 minutes.

Barcelona Maritime Museum (Tour & Farewell Cocktail Reception)

  • On Foot: A 10-minute distance from the WTC, allowing you to enjoy the charm of the historic streets along the way.

  • Public Transport:

    • Buses: Lines D20 and V11 are also useful for reaching the Maritime Museum, with nearby stops.

    • Metro: You can take Line 3 (green) and get off at Drassanes. The museum is just a few minutes' walk from the station.

  • Taxi: A taxi ride from the WTC to the Maritime Museum will also take around 5 minutes.

 

 

Visa Application

Information for participants to the Parallel Event in need of VISA:

 

Dear Madam,
Dear Sir,
Dear participants to the Parallel Event of the World Maritime day in Barcelona,


 If you are member of a delegation to IMO based in U.K. and you are in need of a business Visa to attend the Parallel Event in Barcelona (Spain), please, kindly follow the next steps:

Step 1 - N.V.

  • Please, ask well in advance your Embassy, High Commission or representative mission in U.K. to issue a Note Verbal (N.V.) addressed to the Embassy of Spain in London supporting your Visa request to travel into Spain to attend specifically the Paralel Event that is taking place in Barcelona during 20th, 21st and 22nd October.

 

Step 2 - Mail your request and related documents to the Spanish Consulate.

  • Add your issued N.V to your documents for a short-term Visa (bussiness Visa) and e-mail your request to apply for the Visa to the
  • Consulate using the following inbox: cog.londres@maec.es
  • Please, kindly visit the following BLS website for the information on the documents required to get your Visa. checklist-business.pdf (blsspainvisa.com)
  • Please, add to your request to the Consulate applicant’s contact information (e-mail and telephone number).

 

Step 3 – BLS is receiving your application via Consulate.

  • The Consulate will pass your request and documents to BLS that is the company in charge of dealing with your application for Visa. London BLS Spain Visa.
  • You do not have to do nothing while this process is accomplished.
     

Step 4. BLS is contacting the applicant to issue the Visa.

  • Upon the Consulate’s requests, BLS will directly contact the applicant to schedule an appointment in person and grant the Visa if the applicant meets the required conditions.

 

 If you are IMO Scretariat staff, same procedure must be followed by the personnel of the IMO once a NV is issued by the Secretary General or the relevant IMO person appointed to that purpose. 

 If you are based in another country different from U.K., and you are needed of a Visa to enter Spain, please, kindly follow the following steps:

Step 1. Ask for a Spanish Maritime Administration letter of invitation throughout the Parallel Event in box: wmdpe2024barcelona@rpzevents.com, and including in your request the following information:

  • Applicant’s name as displayed in the applicant’s passport.-
  • Country of residence (only if different of country of nacionality).
  • Country of origin of applicant’s outboud travelling (only if different of country of residence).
  • Applicant’s organization/company and position.
  • Number of days of stay in Spain.

 

 Step2. Contact the Spanish diplomatic services based in your country to apply for your Visa.

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News

 

Prior to and throughout the event, participants are encouraged to review the following information and essential resources:

 

- Code of Conduct for Delegates, Observers, and Other Participants at IMO Events.

Download

Notices:

- Please note that registration will be confirmed based on the order of submissions. The registration period will close on 15 October at 2:00 PM (GMT +1).

- The event program has been updated with a few minor adjustments. We recommend visiting it frequently to stay up to date with the latest changes.

 

Contact us

 

Technical Secretariat

Inquiries regarding registration and logistics:

wmdpe2024barcelona@rpzevents.com