A year in pictures: Shipping industry’s highlights in 2024
This year, the maritime community’s calendar was brimming with meetings, agreements, and significant announcements. In this photographic retrospective, we’ve curated 24 pivotal moments that captured the industry’s attention in 2024.
The following images highlight several key events that defined the maritime landscape during 2024:
In February, Capital Group, Navios Maritime Partners, Neda Maritime Agency, Star Bulk and Thenamaris joined efforts in an initiative for a global Maritime Emissions Reduction Centre.
Marshall Islands has become a Party to the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships, 2009 (Hong Kong Convention).
Continuous attacks in the Red Sea area have been raising concerns for the integrity of crew and vessels transiting the area, forcing the EU Parliament and IMO to contemplate action.
In March, IMO and ILO worked jointly to combat violence and harassment, including sexual harassment, bullying and sexual assault, in the maritime sector.
The Maritime Educational Foundation (MEF) and WISTA UK announced a strategic collaboration to promote diversity and inclusion within the maritime industry.
Orient Overseas Container Line Limited (OOCL), CMA CGM, COSCO SHIPPING and Evergreen extended the OCEAN Alliance collaboration until March 31, 2032.
IMO MEPC 81, that took place March 18-22, agreed on an illustration of a possible draft outline of an “IMO net-zero framework” for cutting GHG emissions from shipping.
In February, Norwegian authorities selected the Norwegian Maritime Cyber Resilience Centre (NORMA Cyber) to collaborate on cybersecurity within the maritime industry.
11th March 2024 marked the unveiling of the Women in Transport Equity Index 2023 Report, which lays bare the gender disparities within the UK transport sector.
A consortium of maritime organizations introduced the world’s first Carbon Insetting Program for Zero Emission Shipping.
Global Shipping Business Network (GSBN) collaborated with Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) to further enhance safety in transporting lithium battery shipments.
IMO’s Legal Committee finalized guidelines to ensure seafarers are protected against unfair treatment if detained in foreign jurisdictions on suspicion of committing a crime.
On 3rd June, Posidonia 2024 was officially inaugurated at the Athens Metropolitan Expo, attended by Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and other dignitaries.
IMO’s Legal Committee finalized guidelines to ensure seafarers are protected against unfair treatment if detained in foreign jurisdictions on suspicion of committing a crime.
On 5th June, IMO outlined its latest progress and plans to decarbonize global shipping by or around 2050, in a submission to the Bonn Climate Conference.
In June, ABS unveiled plans to create a new ship safety center in Athens harnessing the power of new immersive training techniques.
During IUMI’s 150th anniversary in Berlin, Pascal Dubois, Chair of the IUMI LP Committee, highlighted that loss prevention is fast becoming much more important than ever before.
On 12 September, representatives of ECSA, FuelsEurope, eFuel Alliance, EWABA, HydrogenEurope and Methanol Institute launched the ‘’Clean Maritime Fuels Platform’’.
Arsenio Dominguez told industry leaders during this year’s Global Maritime Forum that the IMO will reach a successful compromise at next year’s meeting of MEPC.
On October 7, Hong Kong’s International Maritime Centre (IMC) announced the creation of the Hong Kong Chamber of Shipping (HKCoS).
On 9 October, SGMF announced the release of the Bunkering Guidelines for Ammonia and Bunkering Guidelines for Methanol, during the 23rd SiBCON.
In June 2025, the HKC will enter into force. In that regard, BIMCO launched in November, a Ship Recycling Alliance to help accelerate safe and environmentally sound recycling of ships
Höegh Autoliners and Fortescue collaborated at a decarbonization of shipping event at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, to jointly advocate for the adoption of green ammonia as a marine fuel.
The IMO Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) met for its 109th session, 2 to 6 December 2024, where interim guidelines on the safety of ammonia-fuelled ships were approved.
