News World Maritime Day 26/09/2024

GPA Law Firm is marking World Maritime Day, which this year emphasises the importance of safety and security in maritime navigation, maritime industries for world trade and the protection of the marine environment under the theme ‘Navigating the future: safety first’. We continue to closely monitor issues of legal relevance to maritime transport, both for carriers, shipping agents and port operators, as well as freight forwarders, shippers, consignees and their insurers.

In the words of Francisco Rodrigues Rocha, Partner, Head of Maritime law practice, “This year’s theme is in line with the work carried out by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), a branch of the United Nations (UN) for the safety and security of maritime navigation, together with the protection of the environment.

2024 is a particularly important year as far as maritime conventions are concerned, as we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Brussels Convention for the Unification of Certain Rules Relating to Bills of Lading (The Hague Rules) and the 50th anniversary of the adoption of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) and also the Athens Convention on the Carriage of Passengers and Baggage by Sea (PAL).

These conventions have had a significant impact on increasing the safety of maritime navigation in recent years. However, looking to the future, there are still important measures to be taken, such as the decarbonization of maritime transport, which points to the need to reinforce investment in zero-emission fuels and technologies.”