2ND WMO-OMI SYMPOSIUM ON EXTREME MARITIME WEATHER

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) held the 2nd WMO-IMO Symposium on Extreme Maritime Meteorology from September 23-26, 2024. Under the theme “Bridging the Knowledge Gap for Safer Shipping,” the event brought together weather experts, maritime authorities and industry representatives to analyze the impact of extreme weather events on shipping and to propose solutions to mitigate risks, and protect both crews and the environment.

The symposium was opened by IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez and WMO Deputy Secretary-General Ko Barrett. In addition, Ambassador Peter Thomson, UN Special Envoy for Oceans, also participated with a video message emphasizing the importance of international cooperation. The keynote address was delivered by Captain Radhika Menon, recognized with the 2016 IMO Outstanding Courage at Sea Award, who highlighted the urgent need to improve capabilities to predict and respond to extreme weather events.

The symposium program included sessions focused on maritime safety in the face of extreme weather events, such as hurricanes and severe storms, which threaten both the lives of seafarers and port infrastructure. Strategies for improving the collection and dissemination of critical weather data were discussed, with particular emphasis on the implementation of early warning systems that enable ships to make informed decisions and reduce operational risks.

On the third day of the symposium, experts discussed progress in developing improved products and services to provide ships with accurate weather forecasts. Recommendations included the creation of more effective meteo-ocean communication tools to anticipate and manage weather hazards, enhance maritime safety and protect marine ecosystems. These initiatives are in line with the UN Decade of Ocean Sciences for Sustainable Development and the "Early Warning for All" campaign.

The event concluded with a synthesis report on the remaining challenges and opportunities to bridge the knowledge gap between meteorologists and shipping professionals. The need to strengthen international cooperation to improve forecasting capabilities and increase the resilience of the maritime sector to extreme weather events was highlighted, in line with the IMO 2024 theme: “Sailing into the future: safety first”.

Check the details of the WMO-IMO event in the following video