World Maritime Day 2026: Observed on 24 September with Theme 'From Policy to Practice: Powering Maritime Excellence'

Key facts

• World Maritime Day 2026 was observed on 24 September, with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) headquarters in London illuminated in blue to mark the day.
• The theme for World Maritime Day 2026 is 'From Policy to Practice: Powering Maritime Excellence', and it spans 2026 and 2027.
• IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez delivered the official message for World Maritime Day 2026, emphasizing that regulations deliver safer shipping only when implemented worldwide.
• Since the IMO Member State Audit Scheme (IMSAS) became mandatory in 2016, 168 Member States, or 94% of the membership, have been audited, with the first audit cycle completed in 2026.
• Merchant ships have been attacked in conflict zones including the Strait of Hormuz, the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov, killing dozens of seafarers and disrupting global trade.
• IMO will target technical assistance at Least Developed Countries and Small Island Developing States, where countries struggle to translate IMO rules into national law.
• The campaign hashtags for World Maritime Day 2026 are #WorldMaritimeDay and #MaritimePolicytoPractice.