Kitack Lim joined the chorus of international tributes flowing in for Queen Elizabeth II, who died on Thursday aged 96.
“Her genuine interest in shipping and maritime matters was remarkable,” the secretary general of the International Maritime Organization said in a statement.
Queen Elizabeth II was married for 74 years to Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, who was trained in the Royal Navy and served with distinction in several regions during World War II.
With the UK being the host country of the IMO, Lim said he had “the immense honour and privilege” to meet the Queen in person during her long reign.
The IMO held its first meeting in London in 1959 at Church House in central London. In 1983, it was the Queen herself who inaugurated the new IMO headquarters at Albert Embankment on the south bank of the River Thames.
Prince Philip had laid the building’s foundation stone four years before.
Queen Elizabeth visited the organisation again in 2018 to mark its 70th anniversary.
The late British monarch unveiled a commemorative plaque then, after meeting IMO staff, representatives of the organisation’s member states, and members of other inter-governmental and international NGOs.
“The entire membership of the International Maritime Organization and the staff share the grief with deep sympathy at this difficult time,” Lim said.
“Her Majesty's dedication and service will continue to inspire everyone and will always be remembered.”
Norwegian shipbroker Lorentzen & Co said it was deeply saddened by the death.
“Very few of us have known any other British monarch, not only symbolising and defining the United Kingdom but devoting her service to help the transition for much of the world into a more peaceful and modern life and society,” the Oslo broker said.
“This will be a time of remembrance and we would like to give our respect to all that she contributed and accomplished during her 70 years of reign.”
Grief in statements and on social media
Individual members of the shipping community have also made statements or taken to social media to mourn Queen Elizabeth, the longest-serving monarch in British history.
UK groups that serve seafarers were quick to point to her support for those who work at sea.
The Mission to Seafarers posted a photo of its flag at half-mast in honour of the Queen’s decades of “exemplary service” to the nation.
“Not sure how else we can express our sadness at the passing of HM Queen Elizabeth II, RIP [rest in peace],” the group said on Twitter. “Ma’am your duty is done.”
Elizabeth II's titles including that of Master of the Merchant Navy and Fishing Fleets, she is also mourned by that industry's umbrella charity in the UK.
“It is with the deepest sadness that we learned of the Queen's passing,” said Andrew Cassels — chairman of the Merchant Navy Welfare Board (MNWB), which provides support to seafarers, fishermen and their dependents.
“She reigned for a glorious 70 years... she was truly the anchor around which the nation has stayed safely moored regardless of which way the tide flowed. God bless the queen; long live the King,” Cassels said.
