The International Maritime Prize for 2005 has been presented to Dr. Tom Allan (United Kingdom), former Chairman of the IMO Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) and Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom to IMO.
Efthimios E. Mitropoulos, Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization, presented the prize to Dr. Allan during a special ceremony (on Monday, 6 November) during the 97th session of the IMO Council, which met at Central Hall, Westminster, London.
The International Maritime Prize is awarded annually by IMO to the individual or organization judged to have made the most significant contribution to the work and objectives of IMO. The 96th session of the IMO Council in June 2006 took the decision to award the prize to Dr. Allan in recognition of his long service to the cause of maritime safety and the protection of the marine environment, highlighted by his work representing the United Kingdom at IMO and chairing IMO’s senior technical body, the MSC, from 1999 to 2005.
The prize-giving ceremony was attended by Dr. Stephen Ladyman, United Kingdom Minister of State for Transport and other officials from the United Kingdom Department for Transport, as well as by delegations to the IMO Council and IMO staff.