PURPOSE: World Maritime Day observed on the last thursday of september focuses on the importance of shipping safety, maritime security and the marine environment and to emphasize a particular aspect of IMO's work. The day also features a special message from the IMO’s secretary-general, which is backed up by a discussion paper on the selected subject in more detail. The promotion of sustainable shipping and sustainable maritime development is one of the major priorities of IMO in the coming years. Therefore, energy efficiency, new technology and innovation, maritime education and training, maritime security, maritime traffic management and the development of the maritime infrastructure: the development and implementation of global standards covering these and other issues will underpin International Maritime Organization‘s commitment to provide the institutional framework necessary for a green and sustainable global maritime transportation system. The overarching principles, which should be taken into account in all of the Organization's work; The 7 strategic directions are SD 1: Improve implementation. SD 2: Integrate new and advancing technologies in the regulatory framework. SD 3: Respond to climate change. SD 4; Engage in ocean governance. SD 5: Enhance global facilitation and security of international trade. SD 6: Ensure regulatory effectiveness. SD 7: Ensure organizational effectiveness.
FORUM: “Our Ocean, Our Obligation, Our Opportunity.” World Maritime Day 2025. The theme will reflect on the ocean’s vital role in the world economy, with more than 80% of global trade transported by sea. The ocean is a source of jobs and food for millions of people, a home for countless marine species, and a regulator of the planet's climate, mitigating the impacts of climate change. As the largest sector operating in the ocean space, shipping has a central role to play in the protection of the marine environment and management of ocean resources. IMO’s long-standing commitment on this issue is evident in the robust global regulatory framework supporting cleaner, safer seas, and a growing portfolio of technical assistance initiatives to support ocean protection in 176 Member States. The theme emphasizes the link to wider global efforts to protect the ocean including the conclusion of UN Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement), the negotiation of a new instrument to address plastic pollution and the third UN Ocean Conference in June 2025. The theme will allow all stakeholders to showcase the deep interconnection of shipping and IMO in the ocean space, highlighting the importance of collaboration and coordination to ensure the sustainable and safe use of ocean resources. The theme is closely linked to the United Nations (UN) 2030 Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These include affordable and clean energy (SDG 7); industry, innovation and infrastructure (SDG 9); climate action and sustainable use of the oceans, seas and marine resources (SDGs 13 and 14); and the importance of partnerships and implementation to achieve these goals (SDG 17). Follow the conversation with the hashtags #worldMaritimeDay, #ClimateAction, #GreenerShipping.
EVENTS: On September 25th; The World Maritime Day 2025 will be celebrated at IMO HQ. The theme for 2025 provides flexibility to the IMO Secretariat, Member States and observer organizations to highlight the importance of IMO's work in the context of the ongoing global efforts to protect the ocean from the myriad of threats it faces from human activities. It will also showcase the deep interconnection of shipping and IMO with other stakeholders and sectors in the marine environment, highlighting the importance of collaboration and coordination to ensure the sustainable and safe utilization of ocean resources. The International Maritime Organization’s Member States, inter-governmental organizations (IGOs), non-governmental organizations (NGOs), the United Nations system and related industry sectors are invited to observe the day. For more information, please see Circular Letter No.4959 and Read the concept Note!
From 29 September to 1 October 2025, in the United Arab Emirates; The World Maritime Day Parallel Event will be celebrated. IMO's extensive efforts to protect the world's oceans are both diverse and far-reaching. Through its regulations on pollution control, climate change mitigation, invasive species management and maritime safety, the Organization significantly contributes to the preservation of marine ecosystems and the promotion of sustainable ocean use. As global challenges like marine pollution, climate change and biodiversity loss continue to intensify, IMO's work is more important than ever. The Organization's commitment to innovation, cooperation and sustainable development ensures that the world's oceans will continue to support both human life and the countless species that depend on them. IMO's achievements are a testament to the power of international collaboration in tackling the most pressing environmental issues of our time. Please find all the information here.
Lighting up landmarks. IMO Headquarters will be bathed in blue light in the evening of the day to promote this year's theme. IMO invites Member States, intergovernmental organizations in cooperation with IMO, and non-governmental organizations in consultative status with IMO to lighting up landmarks. Please find the photo gallery here. Read more details here.
PUBLICATION: Explore some of the IMO projects to protect the oceans.
The Law on maritime navigation safety defines many essential issues and rules regarding the implementation of the necessary principles in maritime navigation in terms of general safety, such as monitoring, data collection and inspection matters and also related to international traffic and trade (also specific conditions for maritime facilities, crews, floating objects and vessels which sail/transit/stay through the internal sea waters and the territorial sea in Montenegro. Read the full report on maritime navigation safety.
STATEMENTS: Read the Statement from the United Nations Secretary-General on World Maritime Day 2025; September 25th. and the Statement of the Secretary-General IMO on World Maritime Day 2025; September 25th. (In Arabic; In Chinese; In French; In Russian In Spanish)
PODCASTS: How does IMO’s marine protection treaty make a difference? IMO's marine protection treaty, the MARPOL Convention, is the main international convention covering prevention of pollution of the marine environment by ships and currently includes six technical Annexes.The imperative of maritime transport to support global sustainability is clear. Listen to the Audio-podcasts!
CAMPAIGN MATERIALS: Share how IMO and the shipping sector works to protect the ocean: Download digital cards. Join the 2025 campaign “Our Ocean, Our Obligation, Our Opportunity.”; Get the Poster and the other communication materials!
WHY WE CELEBRATE THE DAY?
HOW TO GET INVOLVED?
PARTNERSHIPS
The World Maritime Day is hosted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the United Nations Office on Oceans and the Law of Sea, the World Maritime University (WMU), the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, the Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States.
With the Collaboration of World Shipping Council (WSC), the IMO International Maritime Law Institute, the International Association of Dry Cargo Shipowners, the International Federation of Shipmasters' Associations (IFSMA), the International Chamber of Shipping, the International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH), the UK Chamber of Shipping, the Danish Shipowners' Association, the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA), the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS), the International Shipping Federation Limited, the BIMCO, the Society of International Gas Tanker and Terminal Operators (SIGTTO), the Russian Maritime Register of Shipping (RS), the China Maritime Safety Administration, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA), the International Association of Independent Tanker Owners and the International Transport Forum.
Highlight the professionalism and sacrifice of the two million seafarers
Create a regulatory framework for the shipping industry that is fair and effective
Increase energy efficiency of ships as well as alternative fuels and the technologies
Promote inclusive innovation and technology cooperation and strengthen partnerships for greener technologies
Embrace inclusive innovation and technology deployment is key to the success of the transition to greener global shipping.
Ensure the peaceful, cooperative, legally defined uses of the seas and oceans for the individual and common benefit of humankind.
The IMO has developed a number of e-Learning courses with the purpose of increasing the capacity of Member States to effectively implement IMO instruments. For background information on IMO's training courses as part of IMO's Integrated Technical Cooperation Programme (ITCP). please click here.
The World Maritime Day marks the anniversary of the adoption of the IMO Convention at a conference held in Geneva, in 1948, under the auspices of the United Nations, The International shipping transports more than 80% of global trade to peoples and communities all over the world. Shipping is the most efficient and cost-effective method of international transportation for most goods; it provides a dependable, low-cost means of transporting goods globally, facilitating commerce and helping to create prosperity among nations and peoples.
The promotion of sustainable shipping and sustainable maritime development is one of the major priorities of IMO in the coming years. Therefore, energy efficiency, new technology and innovation, maritime education and training, maritime security, maritime traffic management and the development of the maritime infrastructure: the development and implementation of global standards covering these and other issues will underpin IMO's commitment to provide the institutional framework necessary for a green and sustainable global maritime transportation system.