Following the resounding success of the 2016 Georgia International Maritime Forum, the Government of Georgia will hold #GIMF2018 once again in the Black Sea port city of Batumi, during week commencing 11 September, with Thursday 13 being Forum day.

The Prime Minister of Georgia, the Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development and the Secretary General of the International Maritime Organisation will lead a number of international maritime and transport dignitaries and personalities participating at #GIMF2018.

GIMF is an initiative of the Government of Georgia under the patronage of the Prime Minister. GIMF is not simply a biennial event but an ongoing project executed by the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development through the Maritime Transport Agency of Georgia. The principal objective of GIMF is the promotion of the common values of international shipping addressing issues relative to this global activity. The Forum aims to bring together high level representatives of the maritime sector from different countries and regions. The whole event offers possibility for inter action between the regulator and the industry and provides a dialogue between shipping personalities and environmentalists. GIMF is an opportunity to take the message of the critical importance of an integrated maritime transport policy and ocean governance outside Europe across the Black and Mediterranean Seas and beyond.

#GIMF2018 will address issues under the umbrella of Sailing Towards the Roaring Twenties in recognition of the global and regional critical goals and target dates set for the coming decade. The inter-relation between blue economy and blue growth, the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, maritime clusters and, major projects such as the Anaklia Deep Water Port development in Georgia and the development of small cruise industry in the Black Sea region are indicative of the scope of the agenda of the Forum.

Around Forum day and within its margins a number of activities will be held. The International Maritime Organisation, the International Oil Pollution Compensation Fund, the European Union, the European Maritime Safety Agency, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the Mediterranean Memorandum of Understanding for Port State Control and, the Global Maritime Energy Efficiency Partnerships Project will hold meetings, training workshops and other fora aimed at implementing frameworks for a fair, effective and sustainable maritime industry. Thursday, however, is dedicated solely to the Forum that, prior to its conclusion with a cultural and social event, will be requested to adopt the Batumi Declaration 2018. This will, inter alia, set the goals for the next biennium making #GIMF2018 and beyond a veritable Sailing Towards the Roaring Twenties.