Cork hosting European Maritime Day in 2020

CORK City will host European Maritime Day (EMD) on May 14th  and 15th next year, the first time that Ireland has been selected by the Council of the European Union to hold this flagship two-day conference which has become one of the key events in the European maritime calendar.

Indeed, 2020 will be a hugely-significant year for Cork with European Maritime Day, SeaFest, Cork Harbour Festival and Cork 300 taking place over the summer.

The European Maritime Day (EMD) Conference and Expo is an annual two-day event during which Europe’s maritime community meets to network, discuss and forge joint action on maritime affairs and sustainable blue economy.

A key component of EMD2020 will be 20 stakeholders’ workshops. Four workshop slots will be in operation with five workshops running in parallel.

Lord Mayor of Cork Cllr John Sheehan said that ‘Cork is being increasingly recognised as Ireland’s maritime haven. Last year and again this year, Cork will host SeaFest, the country’s largest free family maritime festival, and huge excitement is building around the 300 year celebrations planned for next year by the world’s oldest yacht club, Cork’s RCYC.

‘European Maritime Day and the annual Our Ocean Wealth conference further add to the momentum that is building at a European level around Cork’s rich maritime resource.’

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Marine Michael Creed said: ‘I am delighted that Cork City, which has such a rich maritime history, will host this prestigious international conference in 2020. The selection of Cork as host city underpins the Government’s ongoing work in developing Ireland’s marine economy in a sustainable manner.

‘Up to 1,000 different delegates including industry professionals, policy makers, researchers, academics and NGOs will participate in this year’s conference and I would like to encourage all marine stakeholders to become involved.’, concluded the Minister.