International Maritime Organization has declared that the IMO’s World Maritime Day theme , “From Policy to Practice: Powering Maritime Excellence,” will run for 2026 and 2027.
In a statement, Arseno Dominguez, IMO Secretary General, said , “For the first time, the theme will run for two years, highlighting IMO’s clear commitment to put policies into practice, by providing technical assistance, training and other essential services.”
The annual celebration is Scheduled to hold on the final Thursday of September.
IMO urges member States and observer organizations to organize events and activities throughout the 2026-2027 period and inform the Secretariat of their planned activities.
Emphasising on the theme, “From Policy to Practice” IMO said that the theme underscores IMO’s core mission of ensuring that the global regulatory framework it develops is not merely adopted in principle but translated into concrete national legislation, enforcement and day-to-day operations across the maritime sector.
“Powering” signals the momentum and targeted support through capacity-building, technical cooperation and knowledge sharing which IMO, together with its partners, provides to drive this transition.
“Maritime Excellence” conveys the ultimate objective: a consistently safe, secure, efficient and environmentally sustainable shipping industry, operating to the highest international standards and continually striving for improvement.
Together, the theme conveys a holistic, action-oriented commitment: turning collective regulatory decisions into real-world results that deliver tangible benefits for all.
It added: “Global attention on the theme in 2026–2027 could accelerate the national action towards implementation of all IMO instruments.
The theme supports the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in particular:
SDG 13 on climate action;
SDG 9 on industry, innovation and infrastructure;
SDG 14 on life below water; and
SDG 17 on partnerships.
The theme highlights the IMO’s continued contribution to broader global efforts, as well as the importance of cross-cutting and effective maritime governance in sustainable development.”
