Europe has almost 70,000 km of coastline, and the maritime regions of the EU represent some 40% of both its population and its economy (GDP). Yet one of the key results of the year-long consultation which preceded the launch of the new Integrated Maritime Policy (IMP) was the pervasive sense among maritime stakeholders that the role of the maritime – whether on the economic, social or cultural level – is not widely understood or appreciated.

European Maritime Day is intended to provide an opportunity to raise awareness of the opportunities and challenges facing the sector, to encourage networking among its different actors, and to celebrate its achievements and its contribution to the life of all EU citizens, whether or not they work with or live by the sea. While the initiative is being launched jointly by the three main European institutions – the Commission, the Council and the Parliament – it is expected that the maritime sector, and the maritime regions of Europe, will in future be the driving force behind the activities that are organised annually on 20th May.

Member States and Regional Governments, organisations of civil society and social partners, NGOs, Ports, Science Institutions and any other organisations working in relation to the sea are invited to participate in the celebrations with their own activities. These can range from open ports and harbour days, to environmental actions, to networking among museums and aquaria, to highlighting maritime projects -- anything that the stakeholders in the regions feel they want to use European Maritime Day to bring to the attention of the wider public.

In addition to the formal launch and celebrations to be held in Brussels, a number of stakeholder-led events are planned for around Europe to make the day more of an occassion. An updated list of Maritime Day events which have been notified to the Commission is now available on the internet.

The European Maritime Day will be the catalyst for a maritime week as of 2009, and ideas for its development and structure are currently being discussed at the European Maritime Day Stakeholder Conference in Brussels.