World Maritime University - Experts & Thought Leaders

Captain Ian Finley, Permanent Representative of the Cook Islands to IMO, has been selected as the recipient of the prestigious International Maritime Prize for 2023. The decision was made by the IMO Council at its 132nd session (8 to 12 July 2024). Captain Finley was nominated for the award by the Government of the Cook Islands. As a delegate to IMO, representing Panama and latterly the Cook Islands, he has been an active participant in the development of virtually all safety, environmental and legal legislation adopted by the Organisation since 1995. Captain Finley’s work as a delegate to IMO The Government of the Cook Islands cited Captain Finley’s longstanding work as a delegate to IMO In its statement supporting his nomination for the prize, the Government of the Cook Islands cited Captain Finley’s longstanding work as a delegate to IMO for more than three decades. He is ‘a stalwart of Diplomatic Conferences, always striving for consensus and, when necessary, helping to facilitate the compromises required’. He is an ex-mariner with ‘an understanding of and empathy for the challenges that continue to be faced by seafarers and the obligations of all to ensure their training, safety and well-being’. He has ‘championed the cause of the Small Island Developing States (SIDS), promoting enhanced technical cooperation and capacity building’. Captain Ian Finley Captain Ian Finley, a Master Mariner, first sailed from the Port of Liverpool, United Kingdom in 1961 as a Midshipman with Alfred Holts, the Blue Funnel Line. In 1966, he transferred to the Athel Line and the fledgling Chemical/Parcel tanker industry rising to the rank of Captain. He came ashore in 1982, to work in ship operations, moving into chartering and thence Senior Management. In 1987, he was a founder member of the International Parcel Tankers Association. Captain Finley was advisor to the delegation of Panama since the early 1990s and was later appointed Head of Delegation for Panama, stepping down in 2006. He was then engaged to navigate the Cook Islands to membership of IMO (it became a Member State in 2008). Permanent Representative to IMO He has been Permanent Representative to the International Mobile Satellite Organization (IMSO) Captain Finley was subsequently appointed as the Cook Islands Ambassador and Permanent Representative to IMO, a role he has held with distinction and through which he has championed the cause of the SIDS, promoting enhanced technical cooperation and capacity building and encouraging their engagement in the Organisation’s safety and environmental technical committees. He has been Permanent Representative to the International Mobile Satellite Organization (IMSO), the International Oil Pollution Compensation Funds (IOPC) and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). Captain Finley has served as a Governor of the World Maritime University (WMU) since 2016 and was awarded an Honourary Fellowship of WMU in 2023. In 2023, Captain Finley was honoured by the United States Coast Guard as a recipient of their highest public recognition, the Distinguished Public Service Award. International Maritime Prize The International Maritime Prize is awarded annually by IMO to the individual or organisation judged to have made a significant contribution to the work and objectives of the Organisation. The Prize is marked by the presentation to the winner of a dolphin sculpture and includes a financial award, upon submission of an academic paper written on a subject relevant to IMO. The Prize will be presented to Captain Ian Finley at an awards ceremony to be held later in 2024.

IMO and the Republic of Korea have signed a suite of agreements to formally establish and boost the IMO-Republic of Korea Sustainable Maritime Transport Cooperation (SMART-C) Programme. The goal of the KRW 25.5 billion (approx. US$20 million) SMART-C Programme is to promote sustainable maritime transport systems and a sustainable marine environment, by building knowledge and developing technical capacity in developing countries via long-term thematic projects. GHG project agreement This Official Development Assistance (ODA) funding will ensure long-term programming of several technical cooperation projects under a SMART-C Framework Agreement signed on 28 November. Two more project-specific agreements were also signed under this Framework Agreement, namely: SMART-C Leaders project agreement; and SMART-C GHG project agreement. Two more project-specific agreements were also signed under this Framework Agreement Three Projects were already initiated under the SMART-C programme, namely SMART-C Women, SMART-C Traffic and RegLitter. The agreements were signed by IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim and the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries of the Republic of Korea, Mr. Seung-hwan Cho (for the framework agreement) and the Director General of the Maritime Affairs and Safety Policy Bureau, Mr. Jonguk Hong, for the other agreements. The signing took place as IMO meets for its 33rd Assembly (A 33). Corrective action plan SMART-C Framework Agreement – The Framework Agreement formally establishes the IMO-Republic of Korea Sustainable Maritime Transport Cooperation (SMART-C) Programme. SMART-C Leaders – Capacity-building on Implementation of IMO Conventions and Professional Training for International Maritime Leaders (2023-2027). The goal of the project is to improve the Pacific SIDS' capacity in ship inspection/Port State Control (PSC)/Flag State Inspection (FSI) and help the country's implementation of the corrective action plan (CAP) established after its audit under the IMO Member State Audit Scheme (IMSAS). This project aims at the implementation of the maritime GHG reduction regulations  SMART-C GHG – Capacity building in two Asian pilot countries for developing National Action Plans and implementation of the IMO GHG Strategy with the help of GHG Emission Data from Maritime Sector (2023-2027). This project aims at the implementation of the maritime GHG reduction regulations by building relevant capacity for baseline emission data collection, management, and analysis, in accordance with the 2023 IMO GHG Strategy. New educational qualifications Projects already initiated under the SMART-C programme include: SMART-C Women – Strengthening Women's Competencies in the Sustainable Maritime Transport Sector through upgrading skills related to Maritime Digitalization and Marine Environmental Protection (2023-2026). The project will provide female officials in beneficiary countries with online and in-person training  The goal of the project is to contribute to the achievement of gender equality through the increase of employment opportunities for women in the maritime sector in developing countries, in the Asia and Pacific regions, and the provision of training to help them advance their careers in related industries. Specifically, the project will provide female officials in beneficiary countries with online and in-person training that will strengthen their competencies in environmental and digital technologies to prepare them for the emerging opportunities within the maritime sector, while also supporting them to acquire new educational qualifications through fellowships at the World Maritime University (WMU). Maritime safety information RegLitter – Regional Litter Project (2023-2027). The objective of the project is to prevent and reduce marine plastic litter from sea-based sources. It will build on the work implemented under the GloLitter Partnerships Project with further expansion of the activities in Asia and possibly other regions in future. SMART-C Traffic – Development of a SMART-Maritime Traffic Management System and Improvement of Related Operational Capability in a Pilot Developing Country (the Philippines) (2023-2026). The goal of the project is to develop, operate and pilot trial a web-based e-Navigation service that can efficiently analyse and manage maritime safety information in an internet-based environment. IMO's Department for Partnerships and Projects will be coordinating the implementation of the projects, in close cooperation with IMO's Technical Cooperation Division and with technical backstopping from Marine Environment Division, Maritime Safety Division and Legal Division.

Over four decades, the World Maritime University (WMU) in Malmö, Sweden, has developed into a world centre of excellence in postgraduate maritime and ocean education, research, and professional training. The University, established by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), counts more than 5,800 alumni from 170 countries and territories. Many hold senior positions in maritime administrations around the world, testament to the University's mission to build an extensive network of well-qualified, highly educated maritime experts, particularly in developing nations. Highly educated maritime experts To mark the 40th anniversary, a morning of celebrations kicked off an international Conference on Maritime and Ocean Sustainability (20 to 22 June 2023) in Malmö. Our life experiences in the city of Malmö and WMU are ingrained in our hearts and minds" IMO's Secretary-General, Kitack Lim, himself a graduate of WMU, highlighted the University's achievements and reflected on his own experiences at WMU. "I am sure I can speak for all of us WMU alumni when I say that time spent studying at WMU has a profound impact on our lives – not just in terms of the studies completed but also the connections made. Our life experiences in the city of Malmö and WMU are ingrained in our hearts and minds – something we take with us wherever we go in the world and in our careers," he said. International maritime community He added: "The mighty international network of WMU graduates is a great force for good in the world. Those who continue to work as experts for the benefit of the international maritime community will help ensure that our beautiful ocean is passed on to future generations." Thanking the many generous supporters of WMU over the past 40 years, Mr. Lim said: "The success of the World Maritime University would not be possible without the support of the host City of Malmö and the Government of Sweden – IMO and the wider maritime community thank you with deepest gratitude. And I wish to express my appreciation to all the citizens of Malmö who have been generous and polite, always showing their kindness and support to WMU and its students." Distance-learning programmes The picture today, as we mark our Ruby Anniversary, is very different – in addition to the Malmö-based MSc" "My sincerest thanks also go to the all the generous donors, private and public. Their financial, fellowships and in-kind support ensure that the University continues to be one of the cornerstones of IMO's capacity-building mission," he said. Dr. Cleopatra Doumbia-Henry, WMU's outgoing President, said: "The picture today, as we mark our Ruby Anniversary, is very different – in addition to the Malmö-based MSc, we have outreach MSc teaching in China; five distance-learning programmes; and a thriving PhD programme. The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) since the year 2009, continues to recognise the importance of the World Maritime University of the International Maritime Organization, as a centre of excellence for maritime education, research and capacity building." Function of building capacity Professor Max Mejia, who begins his tenure as WMU President at the end of June, said: “WMU must continue to be effective in serving its function of building capacity — of training future leaders and decision-makers — and its function of creating new knowledge that will contribute to IMO and global efforts to solve conundrums and challenges in the maritime and oceans areas." WMU must continue to be effective in serving its function of building capacity" Alongside music provided by the WMU choir and the Malmö fire brigade, other speakers celebrating WMU's 40 years included: Rear Admiral Peter Brady (Ret), Vice Chair of WMU's Board of Governors and Director General of The Maritime Authority of Jamaica; Mr. Johan Davidson, State Secretary to the Minister for Infrastructure and Housing, Ministry of Rural Affairs and Infrastructure, Government of Sweden; Mr. Mitsuyuki Unno, Executive Director of The Nippon Foundation; Ms. Sofia Heden, Deputy Mayor of Malmö; and Mr. Leo Donghyeog Seo, President of WMU's Student Council. Zero emission shipping Many WMU alumni are attending the celebrations and Conference. The three-day ‘WMU at 40: Conference on Maritime and Ocean Sustainability’ is sponsored by IMO, the ITF Seafarers' Trust, and Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority. Sessions cover:  Maritime & Ocean Sustainability; Transitioning to Zero Emission Shipping; Focusing on People to Ensure Healthy, Safe & Secure Working Conditions; Promoting Closer Collaboration Among Stakeholder Communities; Rewarding Sustainable Performance and Fostering Innovation; Creating A Level Playing Field Through Transparency & Accountability; and Protecting the Oceans Beyond National Jurisdiction.