Events

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From 6-9 June, the World Maritime University will be at Nor-Shipping, the platform for sustainable ocean development, helping leading maritime players plot profitable courses into the future.
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Ocean Campus

2-6 June 2025
Hall D stand D2-55a

WMU is pleased to be the lead partner for Nor-Shipping's Ocean Campus initiative to strengthen and support the pipeline of new talent entering the world of maritime and ocean business. Colleagues from WMU will be available at our booth, Hall D stand D2-55a, the entire week.

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WMU/U Arctic Side Event

13:30 - 15:00, 4 June
Hall D - Ocean Campus
‍https://nor-shipping.com/programme-2025#event/6029

WMU will co-host a 90 minute side event ‍with UArctic. Registration is not required, but space is limited, and first come, first served.

A 45-minute presentation by WMU will include delivery of two keynote addresses. WMU Professor Claudio Aporta, Canadian Chair, Marine Environmental Protection; Head, Ocean Sustainability, Governance and Management will speak on the topic of Arctic shipping and Indigenous coastal communities. Professor Dimitrios Dalaklis, Safety and Security; University of the Arctic (UArctic) Chair in Search and Rescue (SAR), will speak on the topic of Educated Guesses about Regulatory Interventions Needed in the Arctic. The WMU portion of the side event will be moderated by Professor Aykut Ölcer, Director of Maritime Research and Head of the Maritime Energy Management Specialization and will include a question and answer session.

Educated Guesses about Regulatory Interventions Needed in the Arctic

By Professor Dimitrios Dalaklis

Historically, the High North region has been approached as a hostile and inhospitable environment, rather unsuitable for economic activities, because of a self-explanatory reason: dire, year-long freezing conditions which, at a minimum, severely hindered or even completely blocked the necessary access (and transport connections). However, in recent years, the continuous warming of the Arctic atmosphere and ocean are driving broad environmental changes; the “new” Arctic physical environment is associated with diminishing sea-ice coverage, declining snow cover, and melting ice sheets. All these are heavily influencing living conditions and business activities in the wider region and at the same time create a pressing need for regulatory interventions that will support a safe and prosperous future for the Arctic. This rapid pace of change in the Arctic requires the quick adaptation of regulatory frameworks, further infrastructure development, and effective implementation of innovative environmental protection strategies. 

As certain indicators are clearly pointing out that human presence and economic pursuits will expand in the wider region, particularly in resource extraction, fishing and maritime transport, there exists a critical need (but, at the same time, a unique opportunity) to refine and implement regulations that address emerging challenges in environmental protection, safety, and resource management. The World Maritime University (WMU), as the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) premier centre of excellence for maritime postgraduate education, research, and capacity development is heavily researching and focused upon Arctic developments and related policy interventions. It is also working along with various other stakeholders within the UArctic framework to develop knowledge and influence the development of policies suitable to address the numerous challenges of the Arctic region. Cooperation and engagement with all stakeholders are the necessary foundation for ensuring a prosperous and sustainable future for the High North. 

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Arctic shipping and Indigenous coastal communities

By Professor Claudio Aporta

As sea ice recedes in Arctic waters, shipping activity is steadily increasing. Extended navigation seasons, the opening of previously impassable routes, and easier access to renewable and non-renewable resources have created new economic and geopolitical realities in the region. At the same time, in the North American Arctic, geographically dispersed small Indigenous communities—primarily Inuit—who have inhabited coastal and marine areas for millennia and have already been severely affected by climate change, are expressing growing concern about the impacts of increased shipping on their environments and ways of life.

This presentation offers a brief overview of Inuit engagement in contemporary Arctic shipping, with particular reference to Canada’s Low Impact Shipping Corridors Initiative and the role of the Inuit Circumpolar Council (ICC) at the International Maritime Organization (IMO). It also introduces a new project at the World Maritime University (WMU) that explores the historical role of Inuit communities in shaping and supporting shipping practices in the Canadian Arctic.

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Blue Talk

14.25-15.10, 5 June
Hall E, Blue Talk Stage
‍https://nor-shipping.com/be_bt_committee#event/5760

Professor Aykut Ölcer, Director of Maritime Research and Head of the Maritime Energy Management Specialization, will represent WMU at the Blue Talk 13 - Running out of people. Modern ships with the latest compliance requirements will need the right kind of crews. Crew recruitment, education, training and welfare are no longer the soft debates, but critical discussions about the future of the industry. The aim of this Blue Talk is to bring together thought leaders to discuss a way forward that is equitable and fair, given where most crews are sourced from.

While the skills shortage in the industry is not a new issue, it has become an increasingly pressing one in recent years. In 2023, the Global Maritime Trends 2050 report described two possible scenarios to tackle this shortage by having Africa’s young and talented demographic play a pivotal role and increasing the number of women seafarers to 25 percent of the total workforce in shipping. Professor Ölcer will highlight the Deep Dives project results, a new report published by Lloyd's Register Foundation, and based on research conducted by WMU. Deep dive on seafarer sustainability: Supporting the opportunity for Africa and women to create a sustainable supply of seafarers for the future, highlights that investment in Africa and support for more women to play a significant part in maritime roles provides a viable option in a sustainable future for seafarers. Key recommendations include increasing women’s participation, modernizing training curricula, strengthening policy and regulation, enhancing industry collaboration, and leveraging Africa’s talent pool. 

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On 8 June each year, we celebrate the ocean, its importance in our lives, and how we can protect it. World Oceans Day helps raise the profile of the ocean and inspire more involvement in helping to conserve this amazing resource we all depend on. A healthy world ocean is critical to our survival. Every year, World Oceans Day provides a unique opportunity to honor, help protect, and conserve the world’s oceans.

To learn more about World Oceans Day, click here.

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In 2010, the International Maritime Organization (IMO), designated 25 June as the International Day of the Seafarer as a way to recognize that almost everything that we use in our daily lives has been directly or indirectly affected by sea transport.

The purpose of the day is to give thanks to seafarers for their contribution to the world economy and the civil society; and for the risks and personal costs they bear while on their jobs.

Background

According to IMO's estimates, ships transport almost 90 percent of the world’s goods trade. Seafarers are not only responsible for the operations of such ships, but are also responsible for the safe and smooth delivery of the cargo.

The day not only acknowledges the invaluable work of seafarers, but also aims to bring global attention to the issues affecting their work and lives, such as piracy. It calls on governments to develop policies that lead to fair treatment of seafarers at ports, and asks private ship companies and owners to provide their employees proper facilities and comforts while they are at sea.

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World Maritime Day 2024

"Our ocean, our obligation, our opportunity" is the International Maritime Organization's 2025 World Maritime Day Theme. The theme showcases the deep interconnection of shipping and the International Maritime Organization in the ocean space, highlighting the importance of collaboration and coordination to ensure the sustainable and safe use of ocean resources.

About World Maritime Day

World Maritime Day was first held in 1978 to mark the 20th anniversary of the IMO Convention’s entry into force. Celebrations are held throughout the world to focus attention on the importance of shipping safety, maritime security and the marine environment, and to emphasize a particular aspect of IMO's work. World Maritime Day celebrations are usually held during the last week in September.

Since 2005, in addition to the official IMO celebrations held at IMO Headquarters in London, there has been a Parallel Event hosted by a Member State.
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To read more about World Maritime Day 2025, click here.

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As Malmö celebrates 250 years as a port city - together with Copenhagen Malmö Port, World Maritime University, and Union of the Baltic Cities- the City of Malmö warmly welcomes you to join this pivotal conference on Future-proofing Our Port Cities.

Since ancient times, the world's ports have played a crucial role in development, trade, and growth. Today, ports are not only central to 80% of global trade, but they also play a key role in building resilient communities and driving the green transition as foundations for sustainable growth.

At the same time, a changing climate and rising seas present new challenges for port cities worldwide, requiring them to evolve in harmony with the sea.

Through this conference, decision-makers and officials from all levels of government - local, regional and national - along with authorities, businesses, international stakeholders, and academia will jointly explore solutions to develop and future-proof our port cities, thereby enhancing their  attractiveness and sustainable growth, providing security across Sweden and beyond.

Conference Themes
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Theme 1: How we future-proof our port cities – growing cities in response to the sea
Many of our port cities in Sweden and around the world face the challenge of adapting to a rapidly changing climate. The first theme of the conference will address how we adapt our port cities to rising seas.

Theme 2: The role of ports for growth, the green transition, and as critical infrastructure.
The second theme of the conference focuses on the pivotal role of ports in driving innovation, ensuring supply security, supporting growth and, trade, and advancing the green transition. With Malmö as the starting point - celebrating its 250th anniversary as a port city - this theme brings together leading regional and international experts, along with representatives from ports, cities, authorities, and organizations actively working to transform and develop commercial ports into strong hubs for supply, growth, and the green energy transition – now and in the future.

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For more information and to register, click here.

On 24 October, United Nations Day is celebrated around the world. It is an opportunity to reflect on the organization’s work on behalf of humanity, including on urgent challenges such as alleviating poverty and hunger, defending human rights and addressing the need for bold climate action.

UN Day marks the anniversary of the entry into force in 1945 of the UN Charter. With the ratification of this founding document by the majority of its signatories, including the five permanent members of the Security Council, the United Nations officially came into being.

October 24 has been celebrated as United Nations Day since 1948. In 1971, the United Nations General Assembly recommended that the day be observed by Member States as a public holiday.

To learn more about United Nations Day, click here.

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Education is a human right, a public good and a public responsibility.

The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 24 January as International Day of Education, in celebration of the role of education for peace and development.

Without inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelong opportunities for all, countries will not succeed in achieving gender equality and breaking the cycle of poverty that is leaving millions of children, youth and adults behind.

Today, 244 million children and youth are out of school, and 771 million adults are illiterate. Their right to education is being violated and it is unacceptable. It's time to transform education.

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March 8 is annually recognized as International Women's Day (IWD). It is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity. IWD has been observed since the early 1900s and was celebrated for the first time by the United Nations in 1975.

The WMU Women's Association (WMUWA) annually hosts an in-house lecture, based on the current theme, that is open to staff and students at WMU.

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