40 international UCL students of Dr. Evangelos Markopoulos, studying International Business Development and Strategic Management modules attended this annual visit on the 25th of July 2025, at the headquarters of the International Maritime Organization, the Temple of International Shipping, at the south bank of Father Thames in london – the Administrative capital of International Shipping, diagonally opposite the Parliament.
The visit was just after some major annual international events which took place – International Maritime Prize (which went to Rosalie Balkin), The Bravery Awards, Egypt’s course towards a Green Shipping Future and other for which students heard and learned a lot! It also coincided with last day of the 11th session of the IMO’s Sub-Committee on Implementation of IMO Instruments (III 11) which was held from 21 to 25th of July 2025!
As in every annual visit, the students had the opportunity to experience the way meetings are organized, coordinated and delivered, listen to discussions on pressing global maritime issues particularly with Planet Ocean on fire given the Ukrainian and Middle East mess and their impact to global trade, international business, human life, the preservation of the Environment, and take a tour on the IMO impressive building; they were more than impressed!
It is worth noting the importance of the four pillars of IMO, being the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW), the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) and Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) all contributing to the Safety of Navigation, Human Life and the Environment – lately the focal point on Planet Ocean given the 2050 target!
These visits are more than paramount for University students as they contribute to their future business development, particularly as shipping and transport are the most important sectors in business and everyday life. No Shipping, No Shopping, No sipping !
As in previous visits, Tamara Vassilissin, the principal external relations assistant from the external relations office at the IMO facilitated the student’s visit with her immense knowledge and experience.
