World Maritime Day

Press Conference: Arsenio Dominguez, Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) on the Strait of Hormuz. Watch the Press Conference: Arsenio Dominguez, Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) on the Strait of Hormuz! Press Conferences

The Permanent Missions of India and Oman are pleased to welcome sailors of INSV Kaundinya as well as experts, scholars from Oman and practitioners engaged in the maritime domain. INSV Kaundinya, a stitched-plank sailing vessel inspired by ancient Indian shipbuilding traditions, was proposed to retrace India's early maritime trade routes across the Indian Ocean. These routes connected the Indian subcontinent with Southeast Asia, East Asia, the Arabian Peninsula, and East Africa as early as the 1st millennium BCE. By sailing these routes, INSV Kaundinya symbolically highlighted the long-standing role of India and Oman as responsible maritime civilisations, comfortable operating far beyond coastal waters and engaging with what we now term areas beyond national jurisdiction. In 2010, the Jewel of Muscat—a sewn ship based on 9th-century engineering and constructed without the use of nails—successfully sailed from Oman through India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, and onward to Singapore. Togeth...

Open debate of the Security Council in connection with "The safety and protection of waterways in the maritime domain" under the agenda item "Maintenance of international peace and security". - Maintenance of international peace and security: The safety and protection of waterways in the maritime domain. - Letter dated 20 April 2026 from the Permanent Representative of Bahrain to the United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General (S/2026/346) Related Documents:  Concept note (S/2026/346) (Continued) The safety and protection of waterways in the maritime domain - Security Council, 10145th meeting Security Council

 Open debate of the Security Council in connection with "The safety and protection of waterways in the maritime domain" under the agenda item "Maintenance of international peace and security". - Maintenance of international peace and security: The safety and protection of waterways in the maritime domain. - Letter dated 20 April 2026 from the Permanent Representative of Bahrain to the United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General (S/2026/346) Related Documents:  Concept note (S/2026/346) Watch The safety and protection of waterways in the maritime domain - Security Council, 10145th meeting! Security Council

  Twenty years after its adoption, the Maritime Labour Convention , 2006 ( MLC , 2006) has established itself as a fundamental pillar of decent work at sea. This high-level commemorative event, broadcast live from ILO Headquarters in Geneva, brings together global leaders and maritime stakeholders to reflect on the Convention's impact, as well as the strength of social dialogue and multilateralism in keeping the MLC fit for purpose in a rapidly evolving maritime industry. Watch the Maritime Labour Convention: 20 years advancing decent work at sea! Agencies, Funds & Programmes

Maritime security, once viewed primarily through a geopolitical lens, is now critically recognized as the fundamental guarantor of the global economy and the stability of everyday life. This roundtable discussion, co-hosted by the Permanent Mission of Greece to the UN and the Delphi Economic Forum, will move beyond traditional threats to focus on the practical, tangible effects of maritime instability on global supply chains and consumer costs. Over 80% of global trade is transported by sea. Attacks on critical maritime infrastructure, illegal activities at sea, unsafe and illicit shipping practices, and disruptions in key arteries (such as the Red Sea) have immediate and measurable consequences, translating directly into higher prices for food, energy, and manufactured goods worldwide. The discussion will focus on the practical imperative of a holistic, coordinated response. Experts will explore innovative strategies and public-private sector cooperation required to enhance maritime...

The Arria Formula Meeting is organized by Greece, India and the Philippines. Co-sponsored by Denmark, Japan, Panama and Romania. Seafarers are essential to international maritime transport and the continuous operation of global trade, with around ninety percent of trade being conducted via maritime routes. They play a key role in supporting shipping, which is a highly globalized industry, and in maintaining global supply chains. In recent years, seafarers have encountered various risks, including those arising from the pandemic, conflict, and terrorist activities. The Security Council has expressed its concern over the threat that unlawful acts against the safety of navigation pose to seafarers and other persons, and over the threat that piracy and armed robbery at sea pose to the safety of seafarers, including through their being taken as hostages, as well as over the adverse humanitarian impact on the seafarers and their families. Opening remarks: - H.E. Ambassador Aglaia Balta, Perm...

The multi-faceted threat to oceans demands coordinated global action, mobilizing international cooperation and digital innovation to address maritime environmental challenges . On September 25th , the IMO and the global maritime community marks the annual World Maritime Day. This year’s theme, “ Our Ocean, Our Obligation, Our Opportunity ,” highlights how the world’s oceans sustain life, enable trade, and shape our climate . The day underscores the shared responsibility of nations and ocean users to harness that potential sustainably. As custodian of the world’s radio spectrum, ITU stands at the confluence of technology, policy, and environmental stewardship. By enabling maritime communications, coordinating spectrum management , and promoting innovative environmental monitoring tools , ITU’s work supports the safe, sustainable, and smart use of our planet’s blue frontier.

Today, ships rely upon real-time navigational data , such as traffic reports, weather forecasts and sea condition updates. Access to live digital information enhances vessel routing and planning, directly improving fuel efficiency , reducing greenhouse gas emissions , and decreasing the risk of waste discharge from ships. Modern radiocommunication technologies and navigation aids , combined with coast stations and other shore-based facilities, let maritime operators track ships and control vessel traffic smoothly. This is especially important in busy channels and ports or in any environmentally sensitive area. With maritime traffic growing globally, the integration of advanced communication technologies becomes ever more important. Data for ocean monitoring comes from satellites and terrestrial communication systems spanning the globe. Earth-observation satellites and myriad radio technologies also help monitor fishing vessels, ensuring responsible practices that safeguard fish s...

ITU facilitates lifesaving and eco-conscious maritime operations through radio spectrum management and global technology standards. Maritime operations worldwide rely on ITU’s Maritime Manual , List IV (coast stations) and List V (ship stations), alongside the Maritime Mobile Access and Retrieval System (MARS) , which makes available information on over 900,000 vessels and more than 2,000 coast stations. These tools are indispensable for timely search and rescue responses, as well as for pollution incident reporting under MARPOL, the cornerstone convention maintained by IMO to prevent marine environment pollution from ships . Just as importantly, the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) developed by ITU and IMO enables ships in distress to promptly alert rescuers, saving human lives and reducing environmental harm. Improved situational awareness reduces risks of collisions, groundings and oil spills, which can be disastrous for the marine environment.

The world’s oceans are a vital source of food, energy and biodiversity. They play a central role in regulating the planet’s climate. However, they are under increasing pressure from pollution, overexploitation, habitat degradation and climate change. Every day, those vast expanses are traversed by a wide variety of vessels, from cargo ships and fishing boats to pleasure craft and passenger ferries. Modern communication technologies are essential for the safe, secure and efficient operation of all vessels at sea , which is fundamental to protecting the fragile marine environment. The  International Telecommunication Union (ITU)  has been continually improving maritime radiocommunication systems since the early 1900s. Today, as the United Nations agency for digital technologies, ITU still meets the ever-evolving needs of the maritime community. Whenever governments, the shipping industry, engineers or mariners identify a new technical or operational requirement, ITU is there to...

  This United Nations STI Forum Side Event focused on sustainable maritime and addressed technology’s role and impact in delivering innovative approaches and solutions to address climate change, mitigate its impacts, and support the UN’s sustainable development goals, in particular SDG13 (Climate Action) and SDG17 (Global Partnerships). Oceans cover over 70% of the Earth’s surface, providing critical resources, biodiversity, and economic opportunities. The maritime industry is the cornerstone of global trade, but it is also a significant contributor to ocean pollution that impacts maritime ecosystems and coastal communities. While the maritime industry is critical in global trade and economic development, it faces significant environmental challenges, including carbon emissions, ocean pollution that impacts maritime ecosystems and coastal communities, and resource depletion. Electrification of ports and vessels offers a transformative opportunity to enhance efficiency and drive ...

This year’s World Maritime Day theme — “ Our Ocean, Our Obligation, Our Opportunity ” — shines a spotlight on the essential role the ocean plays in sustaining life, livelihoods, and the global economy . It provides half of the oxygen we breathe, feeds billions of people, regulates the climate , and enables more than 80% of global trade through maritime transport . The ocean is also home to countless marine species and a vital source of jobs, food, and economic opportunity for millions.But the ocean faces mounting pressure—from pollution and overuse to the accelerating effects of climate change . Protecting it is not just about saving nature—it is a global responsibility that touches every aspect of human life. As the largest sector operating in ocean space, the shipping industry plays a crucial role in both facilitating global commerce and advancing ocean protection. It works hand in hand with sectors like tourism, fisheries, and marine research to manage the ocean sustainably. The Int...

Marine transportation still generates negative impacts on the marine environment , including air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, releases of ballast water. Shipping emits 1,000 Mt CO2 per year, which is 3% of global CO2 emissions. According to the International Maritime Organisation, The cruise industry is a major sector within global tourism and maritime travel, offering experiences on ships that operate in various regions worldwide. The global cruise industry is booming , with passenger numbers expected to reach 33.7 million this year. But this rapid growth comes with serious environmental impacts . It is estimated that about 50 tons of solid waste are generated on a one-week cruise. 2025 worldwide ocean cruise line revenue from ticket and onboard spend is estimated at $72.5 billion (a 7.7% increase over 2024) with 33.7 million annualized passengers carried (a 4.9% increase over 2024). 2025 Worldwide Cruise Line Market Share . Brand diversification of all operations is s...

The Global Maritime Boundaries Database  (GMBD) is the Standard for Maritime Jurisdictional Studies. Maritime boundaries are critical elements to the planning of any activity in the ocean realm. From the early 1700s when the Dutch issued a decree establishing a "territorial sea" that was as wide as "the hypothetical range of an imaginary cannon," nations have sought to control portions of the global ocean which touch their shores. Under evolving criteria being established by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), nations continue to redefine their sovereign claims to ocean space. Many industries and activities recognize the growing importance of maritime claim and boundary delimitation. National claims may overlap, creating areas of disputed ownership and jurisdiction that can lead to confrontation and even open conflict. In the assessment, exploration and recovery of petroleum, mineral or fishing resources, a distance of a few hundred meters...

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 world relies on a safe, secure and efficient international shipping industry , which is an essential component of any programme for future sustainable green economic growth in a sustainable manner.  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 wi...

The International Maritime Organization (IMO), as a specialized agency of the United Nations , is the global standard-setting authority for the safety, security and environmental performance of international shipping. Its main role is to create a regulatory framework for the shipping industry that is fair and effective, universally adopted and universally implemented. Therefore, its role is to create a level playing-field so that ship operators cannot address their financial issues by simply cutting corners and compromising on safety, security and environmental performance.  Learn more about the objective of the IMO !

The United Nations is working to ensure the peaceful, cooperative, legally defined uses of the seas and oceans for the individual and common benefit of humankind. The UN’s groundbreaking work in adopting the 1982 Law of the Sea Convention stands as a defining moment in the extension of international law to the vast, shared water resources of our planet. The  United Nations Law of the Sea Convention  has resolved several important issues related to ocean usage and sovereignty.