Today marks the 28th celebration of World Maritime Day, the annual occasion when the International Maritime Organization (IMO) leads the world in honoring shipping. This year the theme for World Maritime Day is International Shipping - Carrier of World Trade and is intended to highlight the importance and significance of shipping along with IMO's work in promoting safety, security and efficiency in the industry together with protecting the marine environment. The Organization's work is accepted as a key element in supporting shipping's indispensable role in sustaining world trade. Addressing the international maritime community in his World Maritime Day message, IMO Secretary-General Efthimios E. Mitropoulos has highlighted the fact that "shipping affects us all.